Susan wrote:

> It was interesting, checking out the garry oak plantations. I couldn't
> figure out what 'they' were trying to do at the fill. There were garry oak
> planted smack dab in the middle of a huge blackberry patch - looked like
> they razed an area of blackberry brambles, planted the seeds, put
> chicken-wire around them, and then left. The blackberries are invading
> again, and there are weeds inside the little cages that are choking the
> seedlings. It looked like someone came
> through and cut down all the weeds around the cages, but not inside where it
> would give the seedlings any benefit! We saw 3 different garry oak
> plantations, on very different ground and in different plant settings, so
> perhaps they're seeing where the seedlings grow best?

My understanding, from conversation with CUH, that the garry oak planting
amongst the blackberry is an attemt to shade them out. The saplings were only
planted over the last 2-3 weeks, so I imagine that they haven't just been
planted an forgotten.

Blackberry control is almost a 24-hour occupation. I would expect some,
perhaps considerable, grow-back in a relatively short period of time - making
it look as if the area is unattended.

The only way to really control blackberry is to dig every last root out or
treat the entire root system with round-up or some other herbicide - otherwise
is requires constant chopping back every two weeks or so.

There were plent of blackberry bushes on the site at Jetty Island, Everett.
Digging them up was the only option - an arduous task and I am sure that
follow up work will be required over the next couple of months and years to
make sure the area stays clear.

Stuart
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Stuart MacKay McCaw Cellular Communications
Consultant Developer Oakhurst Building
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fax (206) 702-5451 98007

stuart.mackay at mccaw.com
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