Introduction
This webpage has been designed for you, the citizen, to familiarize yourself with the problems of and treatments for the large and growing invasive plant problem. There are many ecological, financial, and cultural reasons for controlling invasive species. Listed below are links to well written and researched information on Why are we concerned?
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We are encouraging all Town residents to explore their yards and do what they can to exclude invasive species from their landscaping. The Conservation Department staff is available to advise you. Call to make an appointment for a site visit 781-259-2612. If you are an enthusiastic invasive plant warrior, we encourage you to volunteer with the Conservation Department or Lincoln Land Conservation Trust to help with invasive control on Conservation land.
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STILTGRASS FOUND IN LINCOLN
Last summer one of our “Early Detection Species” was spotted along a trail in Tanner’s Brook a conservation area in north Lincoln. The patch was small and was removed immediately. Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) was contacted. |
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That next week they sent out a volunteer mapper to survey the area to be sure the infestation was not more extensive. The surrounding land use interests were contacted and notified of this find including Minute Man National Historical Park. Soon after a Lincoln resident walking in a Sudbury at Great Meadows National Wildlife Sanctuary reported a patch which is now being controlled.
Hopefully we can avoid the problems our state neighbors to the south have encountered with this rapid growing invasive. Public awareness is the most important weapon for battling invasive plant’s expanding territories. |
2008 CPC FUNDED INVASIVE CREW: A SUCCESSFUL SUMMER
The CPC invasive species management crew had a successful summer covering about 11 miles of roadside and over 40 different locations on conservation land. This is a huge increase from what is usually achievable with current staffing configuration. Building on this foundation the conservation department we will be better able to achieve the management goal set for conservation land.
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Jane Layton and John Hodges hold up a 20-foot phramites pulled from the wetlands behind Lindentree Farm |
This work was achieved through the hiring of a seasonal crew. Jane Layton, our Conservation Ranger, took on additional hours as the Crew Leader and supervised the team’s day-to-day activities. Two workers, Jonathan Hodges and Ian MacLellan, were hired for the crew. Anna Wilkins, Land Manager, assisted with project organization and equipment coordination. The treatment of the Codman Hemlock grove was awarded to Bransfield Tree Service and was completed in October.
We estimate that for each black swallow-wort plant we prevented from going to seed we kept 300 seeds from dispersing; for each garlic mustard plant 2000-5000 seeds were prevented. The crew removed countless numbers of these and other plants from our town and conservation lands. We are grateful to the Community Preservation Committee for its consideration of this project and its forethought. |
ASIATIC LONGHORN BEETLE PUBLIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN
We’re expanding our “Early Detection Species” to include invasive insects too! You might have heard of Worcester’s infestation with Asiatic longhorn beetle (ALB). The affected area now covers 64 square miles. No one knows how long the ALB has been living in Worcester but estimates vary from 5 to 12 years. |
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ALB (Anoplophora glabripennis), originally from China where it is also considered a pest, has found its way to the US via solid wood packing materials like hardwood pallets. This large black insect with white spots and antenna twice the size of its body complete its life cycle on certain hardwood trees where the larvae burrow from the bark to the heartwood girdling the tree. In the US, ALB prefers the maple species (Norway, red, silver, and sugar maples) but has also shown to use birches, horsechestnut, elms, willows and rarely ashes, sycamore, and poplars. If it is allowed to become established experts predict it will cause more damage than Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, and the gypsy moth combined. Forest industries such as lumber, furniture, maple syrup, nurseries, and tourism would be devastated.
Currently, it is thought the Asiatic longhorned beetle infestation is limited to north Worcester but that might not be the case. It was an observant homeowner in Worcester that was the first to find and alert the state to its presence. The only effective means to eliminate ALB is to remove infested trees and destroy them by chipping or burning. Best practices for eradication require all host trees within a quarter mile of an infested tree be removed and destroyed. Early detection of any satellite infestations is critical to protecting our forested state.
The conservation department has informational fact sheets with color photographs to help identify signs of infestation. Stop by to pick them up or request a set to be sent to you by calling (781) 259-2612. Also check out these websites for more information: |
| Massachusetts Introduced Pest Outreach Program |
University of Vermont Entomology Research Laboratory |
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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VOLUNTEER
How can I help? There are several ways.
 Adopt-A-Spot
Residents can sign up to monitor, mechanically control and restore specific sites on conservation areas around Town. Requires 2-3 hours of training in the identification of invasive plants, proper mechanical control techniques, and safety.
Work Days
There are days when the Conservation Staff looks to make a big dent in reclaiming an area overrun with invasives. Many hands make light work and we are always grateful for the help. Work days will be announced on this website or we can contact you via e-mail or phone call..
Mapping
Part of a successful invasive control program is mapping current populations in order to see if your efforts are efficiently being spent. Mapping can show trends of population movement and changes over time. This information will inform decisions on where to focus efforts for prevention and removal. If you are good with maps, adventurous, and don’t mind bushwhacking through some remote areas, you may be a good candidate for this highly specialized volunteering position. Requires 5 hours of training in identification, map skills, and data collection.
For any of these or other volunteer opportunities e-mail Anna Wilkins, Land Manager, wilkinsa@lincolntown.org to sign up or call (781) 259-2612.
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EARLY DETECTION OF PLANTS
One main goal is to prevent any additional invasive introductions because once they gain a foothold they are costly and time-consuming to control. Monitoring and early detection of new infestations is imperative. Invasive species outbreaks are most easily controlled when they are small and the plants are young. If we can not achieve total control or eradication, we must learn to manage invasive species populations to restrict size and spread, and prevent them from establishing new populations.
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WATCH OUT FOR THESE plants that may not have made it to Lincoln yet. If you see them contact the Conservation Department immediately!
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EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
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Saturday, May 9th, 9:00-11:00 am - Garlic Mustard Roadside Pull
Join the conservation staff and your neighbors and help prevent another year of garlic mustard from going to seed along our roadsides. Bags will be provided by the conservation department and picked up for disposal. Call to see if your neighborhood is participating or if you want to lead a group yourself! Or meet behind Town Hall that morning for a road section assignment. 781-259-2612
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Wednesday, May 13th, 9:00-10:00 am - Garlic Mustard and Glossy Buckthorn;
“Meet and Delete” these invasive plants. Learn to identify them and control them.
Meet and park at the Codman House parking lot on Codman Road.
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Thursday, May 28th, 7:00-9:00 pm - The Wonders Of and Threats To the Sudbury RiverLearn about the natural and cultural history of our beloved river, what threatens it and what is being done to help. Meet critters who call the Sudbury home up close and personal.
Meet and park at Drumlin Farm.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 9:00-10:00 am - Black Swallow-wort and Japanese Knotweed
“Meet and Delete” these invasive plants. Learn to identify them and control them.
Meet and park at the Lincoln Transfer Station off of Rte. 2A.
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Tuesday, September 22nd, 9:00-10:00 am
Invasive Shrubs (many aspects of control) and Tree of Heaven
“Meet and Delete” these invasive plants. Learn to identify them and control them.
Meet and park at Codman Farm Community Gardens lot.
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WHY ARE WE CONCERNED?
There are a myriad of reasons for taking the time to summarize what scientific studies and various conservation organizations have discovered and written about quite well already. But rather than be redundant we decided to simply link to their sites so you can review their findings and arguments on your own.
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Plant Conservation Alliance: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/bkgd.htm#problem
Cornell University: http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Jan99/species_costs.html
Pennsylvania State Department of Conservation and Recreation:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/invasivetutorial/problem.htm
Maryland Native Plant Society http://mdflora.org/publications/invasives.htm
New England Wildflower Society http://www.newfs.org/protect/invasive-plants
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INVASIVE PLANT IDENTIFICATION
USDA plants database: http://plants.usda.gov/
Plant Conservation Alliance: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm
IPANE catalog of Species: http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/index.htm
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/plants.asp
Ain't sure whatcha have? Send a digital photo to Anna Wilkins
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CONTROL METHODS FOR INVASIVE
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE) Management links page:
http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/management/management_links.htm
The Nature Conservancy: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/control.html
Plant Conservation Alliance: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm
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STATE PROHIBITED PLANT LIST
http://www.mass.gov/agr/farmproducts/proposed_prohibited_plant_list_v12-12-05.htm
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| HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE
Once you’ve made the decision to target invasive exotic plants in your landscape you may be faced with many questions about how to go about this project. Depending upon your property it may be a very daunting task. Hopefully we can provide you with steps to make it easier. Also be aware that there are professionals that can help you as well. The Ecological Landscapers Association has a search that can locate professionals in your area.
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Step 1: Inventory the plants in your yard. Find out what plants you have and if they are invasive or not.
Step 2: Set your goals. Are you looking to eradicate just one invasive specie? Create a backyard habitat for birds or butterflies using native plants? Restore an overgrown fence? Keeping your goals simple to start may help you to stay focused and not get overwhelmed.
Step 3: Learn as much as you can about the plants you will be focusing on. Understanding the plants’ biology will help you decide what type of control you will want to use and help
you understand what your time/resource commitment will be in the coming years.
Step 4: Choose the most appropriate methods for control. Take into consideration where your plant populations are because not all control methods are feasible in all places. Mowing is generally not appropriate for areas under trees or areas where you have native or desirable plants intermixed. Control methods are also very dependent upon plant biology. Plants out in the open can be mowed but some plants are not affected by mowing and can create a more vigorous plant. Combinations of control methods often work better than any one single method. Also, remember if they are near wetlands, a permit will need to be obtained by the Conservation Department. (Invasive Plant Removal Permit)
Step 5: Choose the most appropriate timing for your control. When learning the biology of your targeted plants you will learn the plant’s weaknesses. Lining up your control efforts with the plant’s time of weakness will greatly enhance your control efforts.
Step 6: ATTACK! Implement your control as you have deemed appropriate in timing and method.
Step 7: Revisit your control sites and monitor the area for re-sprouts or missed individual plants. Repeat your control plan as necessary.
Investigate where your invasive plant problem may be coming from. Oftentimes adjacent properties will be the source for the seeds that find their way to your yard. Friendly conversations with neighbors (including the Conservation Department!) can lead to joint efforts to control invasives in you area. Do not do any invasives work on property that is not your own without the owners consent (including conservation land).
Maryland Native Plant Society http://www.mdflora.org/publications/invasives.htm
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| PROPER DISPOSAL
Invasive plant disposal poses a tricky problem. If not properly done, some invasive plants will continue to grow and set seed despite being pulled out of the ground. It is important to know how tenacious your plant is in order to figure out how to make sure you do not spread the infestation through your disposal method. There are a few rules of thumb that will ensure this won’t happen. |
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Be sure the plant is dead before placing in a mulch or compost pile. Either dry it out in the sun (on a tarp or some impervious surface) so that there is no green whatsoever left on the plant, or bag it in a heavy duty black plastic bag (and be sure to seal it up) for a while until the plants inside have turned to mush. Sometimes I will clip the roots from the stem before drying it out to further limit the plants resources for survival.
Pull the plant before it has flowered or gone to seed. On some plants, flowers can mature and set seed even after the plant has been pulled.
If you have flowers and/or seeds on the plant, bring your disposal bag to the weeding site and put the flowers and seed heads into the bag head first so that there is minimal risk in dispersing seed as you transport the weed to its final resting spot.
Burning is a good method for disposal, especially with the woody stemmed invasives, but should only be done with a burn permit from the fire department within the burning season.
Pile all of the invasive plants in one pile and cover with a tarp fastening it to the ground using rocks, wood or steaks. Monitor the perimeter of the tarp for any escapees. This can be added to over time like a mulch pile or burned during the burning season.
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NATIVE PLANT ALTERNATIVES
New England Wildflower Society http://www.newfs.org/
Connecticut Botanical Society
http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/garden/index.html
Plant Native
http://www.plantnative.org/
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Attention: Any work or disturbance within 100 feet of a wetland or 200 feet of a perennial stream falls within the jurisdictional area of the Lincoln Wetlands Protection Bylaw and the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, both administered by the Lincoln Conservation Commission. Please contact the Conservation Department prior to undertaking any project located within these areas. To facilitate the control of invasive plants in jurisdictional areas the Conservation Commission now has a simple "Request to Perform Invasives Clearing Work" form for residents to use.
Town Office Building - 2nd floor, (781) 259-2612, or gumbartt@lincolntown.org. |
HANDOUTS AND PUBLICATIONS
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