Blackberry
https://www.gw.govt.nz/blackberry
The berries may be delicious but blackberry is a troublesome bramble weed throughout the region.
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Credit: Weedbusters |
‘Blackberry is a highly invasive and troublesome weed that receives a mixed reception: who passes up handful of ripe blackberries when passing a good patch in summer? And yet, so much of our work involves controlling this plant where it is taking over valuable habitat, smothering other plants and reducing the establishment of natives. It is often an unwelcome intruder over the garden fence too.’
Katrina Merrifield, Biosecurity Advisor at GWRC
Blackberry invades natural ecosystems, smothering native vegetation. It is also a problem in pasture, plantation forests and peoples’ backyards.
It forms dense, long-lived clumps, scrambles over the ground and low plants, has an extensive root (rhizome) system capable of producing new plants. Blackberry thrives in open areas and tolerates most soil types, drought and flood.
The hooks in blackberry can trap woolly sheep, and make pruning and thinning in forests difficult.
We control blackberry in our region's Key Native Ecosystems to protect each site’s unique plants and animals. You can control this pest on your property with these methods:
Blackberry can quickly return after slashing and grazing if roots (rhizomes) are left behind. When spraying regrowth, make sure stems are at least one metre long with fully expanded leaves as large leaves absorb herbicides more effectively.
Once the area is fully clear, plant and mulch to minimise regrowth and support local biodiversity – the plants and animals that naturally occur in the area.
Native species will usually overtop blackberry, so usually no control is needed except on the edges of planted areas.
If herbicides have been used, read the label for information about when to replant.
Check for regrowth at least every 4 months and continue to clear and spray if needed.