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• 4 <br /> Reed canary grass is a persistent and tenacious Eurasian plant species that has been planted <br /> throughout the U.S since the 1800's. At the time,the grass was lrnown for its large forage yields <br /> and erosion control abilities but as time went on other characteristics of the plant were <br /> recognized. Some of those characteristics include its prolific seed dispersal,robust vegetative <br /> growth, and dense network of underground rhizomes with thousands of dormant buds <br /> (Wisconsin Reed Canary Grass Management Working Group, 2009). Similar to buckthorn, the <br />` seed bank can last for up to 6 years meaning that fol�ow up management will need to take place <br /> following the eradication of the invasive plant species. Reed canary grass is one of the first <br /> wetland plants to emerge in the spring and therefore is capable of shading out other native plants <br /> that emerge later. To eliminate reed canary grass, it is necessary to replant immediately with <br /> plant species that can out compete any residual plants or seeds, and retard erosion(Rhodes and <br /> Block, 2002). A list of the seed mixture for the wetland can be found in attachment C. <br /> The recommended way to eradicate the reed canary grass for this location is by using glyphosate. <br /> The best sequence for eradicating severe infestations of reed canary grass is to apply the <br /> glyphosate in the fall followed by a prescribed burn during the winter or early spring to burn off <br /> the dead thatch. Then spray again in the spring to kill the seedlings germinating from the seed- <br /> bank(Jacobson, 2006). The timing of these activities is extremely important for this method <br /> work effectively. Another contxol method is to mow the reed canary grass in late June and <br /> �follow up with a late August or early September treatment with glyphosate by promoting active <br /> leaf growth. Also if a fall application of glyphosate is chosen,then no mowing should be . <br /> conducted after July 15. It is iznportarit that these time periods are followed for a successful <br /> eradication of the reed canary grass. � <br /> SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES FOR REED CANARY GRASS <br /> Year 1 <br /> Fall Application of Glyphosate (Rodeo, Roundup): A fall application of glyphosate will <br /> kill off nearly 100% of the existing reed canary grass. Make sure that the plant �is still <br /> physiologically active before spraying. . <br /> Year 2 <br /> Late Winter/Early Spring Burn: This burn should take place 30+days after the fall <br /> application of the glyphosate. <br /> Spring Application of Glyphosate: This spring application will kill the grasses seed bank <br /> as it begins to grow. Reed canary grass is one of the first plants to emerge and one of the last <br /> plants to go dormant in the fall thus making it an easy target for herbicides. <br /> Spring Seeding: After the glyphosate application has taken place in the spring the <br /> suggested seed mix should be planted(Attachment C). This planting should not take place until <br /> 14 days after the application lias taken place. ' <br /> Year 3 <br /> Verify that the area is still dominated or becoming dominated by native species. If reed <br /> canary grass still persists, another spring application followed by a fall application may be <br /> � <br /> � !�R <br />