The red fruits of Sacred Bamboo shown here growing with a self-sown plum tree (the larger purplish leaves) are eaten by birds which disperse the environmental weed in the nature reserve.
The Friends of Mt Majura (FoMM) will host another woody weed working bee, this time near the Antill Street entrance to the nature park. All welcome. Novice weeders will be shown how to identify and remove woody weeds.
When: Sunday, 15th March, 9am-midday.
Meet: At the Antill Street entrance, next to the bus stop and dirt carpark in Hackett – see this map with the meeting point and the yellow outlined work area.
What: Remove small woody weeds, mainly exotic garden escapees including Sacred Bamboo (Nandina domestica), Cotoneaster, Nettle tree (Celtis australis), Ash (Fraxinus sp.), Sweet Briar rose (Rosa rubiginosa), English Ivy (Hedera helix) and vines of Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea). There are also non-local natives, including Cootamundra wattles, Grevilleas and Correas. Many of these weeds spread by suckering or when birds eat the berries and excrete the seeds.
Bring: Enthusiasm, drinking, sun protection, gardening gloves if you have them; wear clothes which cover your limbs and sturdy shoes. We provide experienced weeding buddies, tools, gloves and delicious home-made cake for morning tea.
Vines of Blue Passionflower, Passiflora caerulea at a garden waste dumping site recorded on Canberra Nature Map here
Removing weeds: We use the ‘cut and dab’ method, working in pairs so herbicide can be applied quickly from sponge-topped dabbers or spray bottles after a weed stem is cut. It is important to cut close to the ground with secateurs or small loppers and apply herbicide within a few seconds.
We provide protective nitrile gloves and if you don’t want to apply herbicide you can choose to spot weeds or cut. Some smaller weeds may be able to be hand-pulled if the soil is moist. We also chip out some weeds with a small mattock.
The working bee begins with an introduction to the target weeds and a demonstration of how to remove them.
More information about woody weeds and how to control them may be found in the ACT Weeds Manual
Enquiries: secretary@majura.org We are friendly group of local volunteers and welcome newcomers. There is no need to register: just turn up on the day.
