HCCC Landcare needs your help to control blackberries

svanbuuren

Feb 28, 20223 min read

Updated: Mar 30, 2022

Blackberry infestation is out of control. With the wet spring and cooler growing conditions blackberries are growing out of control in the Hughes Creek Catchment. This is not only a problem for individual landholders but for all our communities.

These photographs show the extent of the problem in just one small area.

This problem is not confined to the creeks and is problematic across many places in the catchment. This is now a growing problem in very many places. These plants are now in fruit and the problem will be spread by birds; action should be taken NOW to avoid a bigger problem next year.

How you can help

If the problem is on your property, please start a program to eradicate the plants, this can be done by physical means, suitable for small areas, or start a spraying program. Spraying can be done until the first frost, normally in early May.

If your see an infestation on neighbouring properties, this would be a good opportunity to get all the affected landholders working together on an eradication programme. Why not start a conversation, organise a neighbourly meeting, assist each other to get on top of this problem before it becomes overwhelming and spreads to areas currently unaffected.

Some landholders may think that this is ‘someone else’s problem, it’s not, it is everyone's responsibility, and needs to be attended to promptly. Please let HCCC know of any lack of interest/action or contact your local shire environment officer, or the bio security officer at the DEWLP offices in Seymour. If this year’s spread looks impressive, next year’s will be HUGE!

How can the HCCC help

HCCC will subsidise the costs of chemicals by 50%, please contact the HCCC before purchasing chemicals to get approval for the subsidy

HCCC have spraying equipment to assist

We can put you in touch a company that that spray from a helicopter, only suitable for large problems over 15 Ha.

HCCC also have information on a new company that sprays from a drone, the drone can target small areas in difficult to reach areas with a vehicle or tractor.

Can provide a list of commercial spraying companies.

Impact of Blackberries

Impact on ecosystems and waterways

Blackberry is considered a serious environmental threat and is highly invasive. It can provide harbour and a food source for pest species, as well as serve to outcompete and eliminate other vegetation by excluding light from the soil surface.

In its early stages of infestation, blackberry will grow over, or occupy gaps in, native vegetation and, in later stages, can severely restrict regeneration in native forests.

Agricultural and economic impacts

Blackberry is an extremely serious agricultural threat, owing to its rapid growth and ability to reproduce through various methods. It is a highly invasive species that will readily establish on disturbed sites and infest large areas. Once established it is expensive to manage and can even be a fire hazard due to large amounts of dead canes.

The plant's strong prickles make it hazardous and unpalatable to grazing animals (except browsing animals, such as goats and deer) and impenetrable thickets provide harbour and food for pest animals such as rabbits and foxes, starlings and blackbirds. It may also restrict access to watercourses in forestry operations and for grazing animals.

Blackberry may affect the establishment and growth of both softwood and hardwood seedlings in plantation forestry.

Social value and health impacts

Blackberry can restrict access to and along water-courses which may affect recreational activities. It also produces strong prickles which make it objectionable to humans and in large infestations, may be a fire hazard due to large amounts of dead canes.

Management

Prescribed measures for the control of noxious weeds: