Newsletter April 2016
Landcare in Action – News of MCCL activities in Martindale
MCCL provides Chemical Handling Training
A group of 10 members and guests of Martindale Creek
Catchment Landcare undertook Chemical Training during
April. This training was funded by Landcare Australia and the
Jaramas Foundation as part of our St John’s Wort and
Coolatai Grass Eradication Project. Training was presented
by Hunter TAFE trainer, Stuart Murphy. MCCL was pleased
to host this training locally at St Martin’s Hall. Members
participated in this training for free, a great saving on an
expected cost of $380 for a new qualification!
Our main focus is on controlling weeds and we have made a
great start with our funded project. We aim to eradicate the
weeds Coolatai Grass and St John’s Wort in our Group’s
area, which covers the catchment area for Martindale Creek
and includes Martindale, Horseshoe and part of Bureen.
This training sees us now spend the remaining bulk of our
funding. Any monies left will now be put towards chemical
for our spray regime over the next 2-3 years. Members
undertaking the spraying have completed one full round of
application to our target weeds, or hand removal as is
deemed best for each patch. Another round of control is
underway, just waiting on some weather to make this
autumn round most effective.
LLC update
Many of you may have heard of Pauline’s appointment as
the Local Landcare Coordinator (LLC) for the Upper Hunter,
as announced by Michael Johnsen, MP. This is a State Govt
Initiative to foster Landcare across NSW. Funding has been
provided for Landcare NSW and Local Land Services to work
in partnership to provide Coordinators for each LLS region.
MCCL, Hunter Region Landcare Network and Muswellbrook
Shire Council have been approved to partner in the
provision of an LLC to cover the Muswellbrook and Upper
Hunter Shire Council areas. The LLC will aid existing
Landcare groups to access funding, write reports, and form
partnerships with local government, NGO bodies, private
businesses and others in the community, as well as provide
assistance to ensure correct organisational governance.
The LLC will also help concerned communities come
together to form their own Landcare groups, which as many
here know can be quite an involved process.
Pauline and Marion attended the “Learn, Share, Connect”
LLC induction at Stockton in March. This was a State-wide
meeting of all involved in the Local Landcare Coordinator
Initiative and was a fabulous but exhausting few days.
Unfortunately, there is now a question mark over Pauline’s
position as LLC with Muswellbrook Council. We are waiting
on final notification as to whether Pauline will be appointed
in the long run, or if not, who will be. We will notify you all
of the result as we know it.
LLS Funding
Maria Cameron, Landholder Support Officer from Hunter
LLS has been working with MCCL to provide help in
obtaining incidental items, funded by the National Landcare
Program. Our funds are to be used for such things as office
equipment and consumables, promotional items, roadside
warning signs for field days and provision of field days. Our
upcoming “Native Grasses in the Farmscape” field day is
funded through this program.
April Field Day - Native Grasses in the Farmscape
As above, MCCL has been granted funding which will be
put towards this field day. To be held on Saturday April
23rd, starting at St Martin’s Hall, followed by a paddock
walk, this will look at native grasses and their use and
benefit to farm production systems. Col Seis from Gulgong
and Paul Melehan from Scone TAFE will be our presenters.
Paul is quite a whiz on native grasses and will help us learn
to identify those native grasses which occur here. Col is the
inventor of the “pasture cropping” system. Col will be
informing us of his experience using native grasses on his
property “Winona” at Gulgong. Col has reinvigorated his
family farm through use of this system. Native grasses have
a very real benefit to our farming, both in cropping, in
drought-proofing and in wider environmental benefits.
Do you have something to share in our newsletter? Do
you have a question to ask or a suggestion for MCCL
to tackle? Please email details to Pauline for inclusion.
Contact us: President: Pauline Sykes, “The Ranchlet” Martindale 2328, ph 65473644, e sykes.pauline@gmail.com
Secretary: Marion Woolley,” Witjweri” Martindale 2328, ph 65473552, e witjweri@skymesh.com.au
This month’s Weed Spotlight looks at African Boxthorn.
Perry Brown (UHWA) has provided some information to
MCCL on this topic, and as autumn is an ideal time to
undertake control of this weed, this is timely advice – we
just need some rain! Below are Perry’s notes, followed by
some identification information from the usual DPI sources,
with links for you to look up more in-depth information if
you wish.
African Boxthorn control
Some landholders are reluctant to control African
Boxthorn as it can be difficult to treat. And after all, it’s
not poisonous to stock and it does provide food and shelter
for some native bird species.
On the flip side, it may provide food and shelter for some
non-native birds such as starlings, and protection for
rabbits and foxes. It’s also very invasive, as can be seen
along parts of Martindale Creek, and Boxthorn thickets
take up space under mature native trees. African Boxthorn
is now a Class 3 Noxious Weed, so landholders are required
to continuously suppress and destroy all Boxthorn plants.
Optimum times for Boxthorn control are Autumn and
Spring, although it can be controlled at any time of year
provided seasonal conditions are good. There is always
some form of control that can be carried out, no matter
what time of year.
Small, seedling Boxthorn are easy to kill with foliar
herbicides, and usually go over with a single spray.
Large, older Boxthorn are much tougher and will usually
require follow up treatment of regrowth, particularly with
foliar spraying.
Check Grazon Extra labels for withholding periods for
any stock in the paddock.
There are 2 one-off chemical control methods for large
Boxthorn which are very effective. They have limited
applications but are worth considering in their place.
The first is Access + Diesel as a basal bark spray. This will
knock over large Boxthorn with a single application but is
difficult to do with the low, thorny branches limiting access
to the trunk. It must be done correctly to be successful,
and can’t really be used in the creek.
The second is the herbicide pellets (Graslan). Where
these are applied correctly at sufficient rates (and spread
evenly under the whole dripline of the tree) they are
excellent. Quick and easy to apply, without the need for
any spray rig equipment, they repeatedly defoliate and
then kill Boxthorns over an extended period as the granule
dissolves into the soil with rainfall, and is then absorbed by
the Boxthorn roots. They are a one-off if applied correctly
but cannot be used under the dripline of desirable trees
(kills them also) or in the creek where most of the
Boxthorns are.
Similar herbicide granules (Tordon granules) are
available for other noxious weeds such as Blackberry.
A reminder that to apply herbicides in any way outside of
home garden/domestic use, applicators need the
appropriate training for their situation, and to always fully
read product labels and SDS and follow all safety directions
and restrictions.
Happy Weeding!
Perry
Glyphosate 360 herbicide products can be used for foliar
spraying – at a rate of 1% (ie 1 L of glyphosate 360 product
in 99 L of water). The “frog/fish friendly” glyphosate 360
products can be used right down to the water’s edge in the
creek (read product labels to ensure this).
African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum)
Unfortunately, there is no one-off, “silver bullet” foliar
spray treatment for large Boxthorns. They need persistent
spraying of re-growth over time otherwise you can waste
a lot of time and money, and quickly end up back at square
1 without much to show for it.
African Boxthorn is recognised as a Weed of National
Significance.
2 important points for foliar spraying - always spray foliage
which has freshened up and is actively growing after rain
(no leaf fall when you shake the tree), and you must hit
every leaf (so you need a decent spray unit with some
pressure and reach).
It’s not always possible, but digging out large Boxthorn
with a dozer or excavator is the best form of initial control.
Come back and spray suckering regrowth with herbicides
such as glyphosate 360. This reduces the cost of the whole
operation and the amount of chemical used. Grazon
products and their imitations are also registered for
Boxthorn, but are more restrictive where they can be used.
African boxthorn was introduced into Australia from South
Africa in the mid-1800s and was commonly used as a hedge
plant.
Impact
African boxthorn is a member of the Solanaceae family,
which includes other plants such as silverleaf nightshade,
tobacco and tomatoes. African boxthorn is an aggressive
invader of pastures, roadsides, reserves, remnant bushland
and waterways. It forms an impenetrable, spiny thicket that
inhibits the movement of stock and provides a haven for
feral animals. Many insects, including fruit fly, the common
house fly and the tomato fly, breed in the fruit of this weed.
It is a serious weed threat in all States and is one of the
major weed threats to the semi-arid rangelands of western
NSW, and consequently, it is a declared noxious weed in
most parts of NSW.
Toxicity
African boxthorn is toxic to humans and will cause
discomfort and irritation, but is not life-threatening. The
berries, leaves, stems and roots are all poisonous, and can
cause nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties and
unconsciousness.
Description
African boxthorn is an erect perennial shrub. It can grow up
to 5 m high and 3 m across but usually reaches only 2 or 3 m
in height. It is characterised by its woody, thorny growth.
The stems are rigid and very branched, and the main stems
have spines up to 15 cm long. Each smaller spiny branchlet
ends in a stout spine.
Just a note on identification
Note the bright green, slightly fleshy leaves on the pictures.
There is a native, Tree Violet, often mistaken for African
Boxthorn. From a distance, and with its habitat along creek
banks under tall trees, it can seem similar. Its leaves are
long, darker green and toothed. Tree Violet is important
habitat for small insectivorous native birds and for bankbinding on creek banks. Take care to know which plant you
are spraying as African Boxthorn.
The leaves are smooth, fleshy and up to 3.5 cm long. They
can be larger and more succulent on regrowth from
damaged roots. The plant is drought resistant and in times
of moisture stress can shed its leaves, making it look dead.
In some locations plants can be deciduous, losing their
leaves in winter.
The flowers are white with pale blue markings and fragrant.
They have five petals. The berries are green when young and
succulent, round, 5 to 10 mm in diameter, contain 35 to 70
seeds and are orange-red when ripe.
African Boxthorn flowers
Habitat
African boxthorn grows on all soil types but establishes best
on lighter soils, particularly along dry creek beds.
Spread
African boxthorn plants are at least two years old when they
flower, and although this generally occurs in spring and
early summer it may occur at any time of the year provided
the conditions are right. Fruit set generally occurs in
autumn, but, again, it can occur at any time of the year
depending on conditions. Seeds can germinate at any time
of the year if there is adequate moisture and warmth.
The plant has an extensive, deep, branched taproot that will
sucker and produce new growth if broken. Early root growth
is rapid to allow seedlings to compete with other plants.
African Boxthorn ripe fruit
Further information:
The above information is taken from:
http://weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/WeedImages/Details/87?No
Weeds=7
Other useful links:
http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/africanboxthorn/docs/47
053%20ERGO%20Weed%20Mgmt%20guide%20AFRICAN%
20BOXTHORN_FA-web.pdf
http://www.herbiguide.com.au/Descriptions/hg_African_B
oxthorn.htm
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pestsweeds/weeds/publications/weeds-crc-pubs/wmg
African Boxthorn showing typical habit under trees
LLS Blue Heliotrope Bus trip to Binnaway Report
Hunter Region Landcare Network
Along with around a dozen other interested Hunter
landowners, Trevor and I attended the LLS
sponsored field day at “Clarefield”, Binnaway. Blue
heliotrope control was the topic of the day.
CONTROL is now the operative word and the only
option. In the Hunter Valley, the DPI distribution
map marks blue heliotrope as “Abundant &
Localised”. Our aim MUST be to, at least, keep it
there and not let it enter the next category –
“Widespread”.
http://hunterlandcare.org.au/
The tropical perennial grasses, Premier digit, Consul
lovegrass and Bambatsi panic, have been
successfully used on “Clarefield”, since 1995, in
combination with a herbicide, summer fallow and
winter cropping program. These grasses are good
stock feed, drought tolerant and long lived (some
approaching 20ys). Trials on the property saw pretreatment densities of heliotrope at 14 plants/m2
and a complete loss of grazing viability, reduced to
1plant/m2 and a restoration of productivity over 14
years with continuing improvement.
This weed will not go away easily. “Clarefield” sprays
glyphosate sometimes up to 5 times per season in
spring/summer, to reduce the seed bank as much as
possible, then follows up with a winter oat (or
similar) crop, which is followed by another summer
spray/fallow …. This could be repeated for up to 5
rotations before the tropical grasses are introduced.
Planting time is crucial to the grasses obtaining the
edge over heliotrope – you need to order the rain!
Perennial tropical grasses are not always
appropriate, especially in our non-arable areas but
the philosophy remains the same - COMPETITION.
Correcting soil deficiencies, adding legumes or
nitrogen and managing grazing to drive the vigour
and quality of the native summer growing grasses
that we have, can help them compete with
heliotrope. The appropriate use of herbicide at key
times can help reduce seeding and contain the
spread.
We battle it at home by removing flower heads and
seeds, spray where possible with herbicide and
revisit the known hotspots weekly over the season
to catch regrowth and new seedlings. We are still
doing it and find the occasional new outbreak but
we are wining!
Marion.
MCCL is listed on this site, as are other groups within
the Hunter Region. HRLN has a Facebook page.
NSW Landcare Gateway
MCCL has a page on the NSW Landcare Gateway
http://www.landcare.nsw.gov.au/groups/martindalecreek-catchment-landcare
A note from Kirsten – “Stepping Stones is undertaking
planting on Vince Bruce’s property on 192 Martindale
Rd for the whole of the second week of May (9th –
13th). 3500 stems will be planted across 5 hectares! It
is really quite an unprecedented project for Stepping
Stones!
I am seeking assistance! I have a CVA team helping,
however with only 5 in that team we will need way
more help to get all these trees in the ground!”
Kirsten is asking for volunteer help to install this
planting. If you are interested, you can contact Kirsten
by the following methods:
Kirsten McKimmie
Stepping Stones Project Facilitator
T: 02 6549 3785 | M: 0418 700 617
kirsten@gersteppingstones.org.au
http://www.gersteppingstones.org.au/
Useful information:
http://www.iewf.org/weedid/index_by_reserve.htm
www.huntercentralcoastweeds.com.au
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds
http://apvma.gov.au
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/w
eeds/index.html
http://www.weeds.org.au/
Perry Brown (Noxious Weeds Officer, Muswellbrook)
ph 0408 683 491
email: perry.brown@muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au