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Mature
Wild parsnip
last year |
I've written about the
Wild parsnip in our ditches. The plants grow for two years, producing flowers and seeds in the second year. It was across the highway, in the ditch, and the seeds have both blown into our ditch, and birds must have taken the seeds onto our lawn, dropped them into my gardens –even 150m away from the ditch into the back yard.
This is an
invasive species from Europe and Asia. Just like other toxins, like Giant hogweed, the oils on your skin react with the sun and produce a rash. I've had the same problem with
Water parsnip in the pond. Who knew? Water parsnip is growing on top of the old muskrat push-ups.
Wild parsnip
The county has
decided to do something about it.
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Wild parsnip (poisonous)
at the end of our driveway |
Lanark County will be conducting controlled roadside weed-spraying on sections of County Roads 1 (Rideau Ferry to Perth), 10 (Hwy. 15 to Ottawa boundary), 17 (County Road 10 to Beckwith 9th Line) and 43 (Merrickville to Smiths Falls boundary) from June 11 to July 10, weather permitting. The contractor will be using Clearview Herbicide Reg. #29752 to help control noxious and invasive weeds. Please contact Lanark County at 613-267-1353 for more details about this program, including additional information on how to obtain and post "No Spraying" signs for the your property.
Doing a bit more research, I found more out about the chemical they are spraying:
Aminopyralid...
Aminopyralid is a selective herbicide used for control of broadleaf weeds, especially thistles and clovers. It is in the picolinic acid family of herbicides, which also includes clopyralid, picloram, triclopyr, and several less common herbicides.[2][3] It was first registered for use in 2005, in the USA under the brand name "Milestone".[4] and in the UK under the brand names Banish, Forefront, Halcyon, Pharaoh, Pro-Banish, Runway, Synero, and Upfront.
www.county.lanark.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=6438
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| Bush hog, July, 2014 |
Jun 11, 2015 - County Road 43 - Merrickville to Smiths Falls Boundary. The Contractor will be using the following pesticide: Clearview Herbicide. Reg. #29752 .
It would appear that they have been effective. The grasses are still growing, but not the parsnip or the sumac. Around the mailbox, we have several plants. They began to grow more rapidly after the county used the bush hog on the ditches, prior to digging the ditches deeper.
These are the 'befores'.
Sherry Steeves was gardening two weeks ago when she had a run-in with the wild parsnip, an invasive species that's a close relative of giant hogweed.
A Renfrew woman has been told to stay out of direct sunlight for three years after she brushed up against the sap from the toxic wild parsnip while gardening.
Later that day she spotted black markings on her leg — and that was just the beginning.
As an update, the county is continuing to attack this noxious, poisonous weed.
Lanark County ramps up the war on wild parsnip
Stories abound of issues.
