Steve Hallstrom wrote:

> Pulling has little impact except for the theraputic release on the puller.

Congratulations, you got it in one !!!!


I agree that pulling is potentially damaging , however, circumstances at
Montlake Fill may prove this to be a useful strategy. Plants, including the
roots are removed, giving some advantages:

a) The pool of seed producing plants is reduced. Plants not pulled will have
the flower heads removed.

b) "Opened" up areas give a chance for native species to try and get a
foothold. Good numbers of wildfowl graze around the area, if grass can get
established, perhaps the ducks and geese might graze any tiny loosetrife
plants and keep it in check - pure speculation, of course.


Notes:

In some of the ponds the substrate is matted, semi-rotted vegetation, above a
gravel bed, which dries out completely in summer. Here the Loosetrife has
only a marginal hold.

As little disturbance is done to the soil as possible. I am debating whether
any soil in the roots should be shaken out or whether everything must be
dumped. Previously Urban Horticulture control measures caused large amount of
disturbance to the soil.

All the seeds from the plants have already been dispersed by the wind. In
late summer pulling loostrife is a really bad idea - the seeds scatter
everywhere with the slightest vibration.


The ultimate objective of all this is to open up the ponds, producing more
shoreline for shorebirds passing through - loosestrife is only the excuse -
selfishness in the extreme :-)


Stuart