Woody weeds in bush reserves

Every year across council bush reserves we wage a war on botanical invaders; we target a variety of woody weeds to reduce their impact and prevent their spread. The woody weeds we target include Broad Leaved and Small Leaved Privets, Olives, Brooms, Cotoneaster, Jerusalem Cherry, and deciduous species including Box Elder and other acer species, Desert Ash, Hawthorn and Blackberry, just to name a few.  

Woody weeds can spread and push out desirable indigenous plants that native fauna species rely on. Woody weeds can favor some animals over others, and this may contribute to numbers of these species rapidly multiplying and displacing other species, or increased predation on vulnerable species. Ultimately, if left unchecked, woody weeds can rapidly reduce the diversity of a natural area. Council targets woody weeds when they are actively growing from spring until the end of summer/early autumn. Treatment occurs prior to seed set, if possible, to try to reduce future infestations.  

Many of these woody weeds are garden escapees and the seed comes from urban and peri-urban gardens close to natural areas. Species of privets were introduced to Australia from Asia and were widely used for hedging and shade trees in gardens. Privets can easily outcompete native seedlings as they can rapidly grow even in a shaded situation.  

To help prevent the spread of woody weeds, try to avoid planting potentially invasive species in your garden. Do some research before you buy plants to see if they have the capacity to spread into natural areas. Often nurseries provide sterile specimens of ornamental plants. If you are going to plant an olive tree, have a think about whether you are going to harvest the fruits or if you can choose a sterile/fruitless variety. If you already have some woody weeds in your yard, and you might be planning on updating your garden, it might be an idea to remove and replace some of the weedy species, or there may be an opportunity to prune flowers off before seed sets. With careful consideration and continued treatment of invasive weeds we can all do our bit to keep bush reserves diverse and in balance.