Plant pests

[hog]

Well here on the Isle of Man it looks like they have started burning the Gorse again, it seems to be a real problem here as it swallows up the hillsides and leaves no room for anything else, yes the flowers are a lovely carpet in the summer and they are even good to nibble on ( if you have the taste for them ) but look at the result of tryin to get rid of it, not sure whats worse !!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorse

Any one else have a similar problem in their area.

 

[slowworm]

There's a fair bit round here. It's not all bad, I've been planting some on my woodland edges as it acts as a good wind break. It's also a nitrogen fixer, so good to grow on poor soils and the dried wood and brush make good fire wood and kindling. I did make a batch of wine from the flowers last year but it wasn't worth the pain.

 

[dwardo]

Did not realise it could be so invasive. Always imagined it to be very slow growing. Burns very well indeed.

 

[hog]

Great for an intruder deterrent border as the spines are nothing short of painfull.

 

[Goatboy]

Legend has it that gorse came to East Scotland as seeds on the hooves and in the poo of Edward Longshanks's horses as his men came to fight Wallace. Don't know if it's true but there you go.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Great, more cleared land to build on !

 

[British Red]

Not a gorse problem - here it is Himalayn Balsam. Massively invasive - shades out every natove plant. Took 3 years to eliminate from the garden using slash and burn. Still tries to make a come back each year

 

[Hog On Ice]

herbaceous invasives around here would be Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) or Woad (Isatis tinctoria)
woody invasives would be Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) or Princess Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)

 

[hog]

Great, more cleared land to build on !

Thankfully this falls in National Herritage land so should, should be kept green.