Dear All
My suggestions to Richard were:
to leave the blackberries for another year or so and in the mean time
do some planting of local indigenous shrubs (generally those that have a
similar disposition to blackberries i.e spiky, rough etc). This will
create habitat over a few years to offset your blackberry eradication.
Also if there is quite a large area of infestation, you may like to
consider a more long term approach to eradication over say 5 years.
We have undertaken similar work at the College here, having planted
about 300 trees and shrubs(along a dam bank) before we poison and then
remove the blackberries. Once you have poisoned (with something like
garlon - recommended) leave the dead canes until the next year before
removing them as these will still provide habitat even though dead. Then
do follow up spraying. For smaller regrowth, hand pull it. The ideal
time to spray is when the blackberries are in flower around Dec - Feb.
Thought it might be of interest to others also.
Regards
John Harris
Environmental Education Officer
Donvale Christian College
155 Tindals Rd Donvale 3111
03 9844 2471
0409 090 955
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