Upland Vegetation Management Plan

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depletion is desired, leave the soil in a disturbed state to encourage further germination, and return annually to remove the plants. In general, cutting is less destructive than pulling as a control method, but can be done only during flower stalk elongation. Pulling can be done at any time when the soil is not frozen. If flowering has progressed to the point that viable seed exists, remove the cut or pulled plants from the area. Because seeds remain viable for five years, it is essential that an area be monitored and plants removed for at least five years after the initial control effort. For lazger infestations the Wisconsin DNR suggests that, fall or early spring buining may be effective. First year plants aze killed by fire, if the fire is hot enough to remove a111eaf litter. However, the bare soil enhances survival of seedlings that germinate after the fire, and the total population may increase after the fire. Dense populations may be controlled more effectively by fall burning, when leaf litter provides adequate fuel. Spring burns should be conducted early enough to minimize possible injury to spring wildflowers. Three to five years of burning are required, and should be followed by hand-pulling or cutting of small populations produced from the seed bank. Garlic mustard plants hit by fire are generally killed. Because most woodland fires are patchy, flame torches may be useful in areas not burned in entirety. Infestations can also be controlled by applying 1-2% active ingredient (a.i.) solution of glyphosate to the foliage of individual plants and dense patches during late fall or early spring. At these times, most native plants are dormant, but garlic mustard is green and vulnerable. Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide that will kill non-target plants if it comes into contact with them. Managers should exercise caution during application, and not spray so heavily that herbicide drips off the target species. Herbicide use is safest for native plants if done during the dormant season, as garlic mustard will grow as long as there is no snow cover and the temperature is greater than 35°F. An early spring application of tricolopyr at a 1% a.i. concentration in solution with water has been used, resulting in a 92%rosette mortality rate(Wisconsin DNR,2004). SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Year 1-Common Buckthorn:Cut buckthorn throughout the upland buffer zone. Treat stumps with chosen herbicide and corresponding methodology specific to the herbicide. Garlic mustard: Hand pull minor infestations and cut flowering stem at ground level. Complete prescribed burn for larger infestations if enough fuel is available to carry the flames. Complete spot application of 1-2% glyphosate in early spring or late fall when native plants are dormant and/or complete an application of tricolopyr at a 1% a.i. concentration in solution with water. Plant Native Vegetation: Augment with native shrubs (3-4 different species,2 to 3 per cluster or dispersed),trees, and herbaceous plants. Add mulch around each newly installed plant-about 1 foot radius. Protect young Svoboda Ecological Resources 2180 Abingdon Way Project No.:07-056-48 3 Richard&Britt Gage