Willow massacre revs up below Scrivener

DrKoresh said :

What is actually wrong with willows? 😐 I quite like them, aesthetically speaking.

yes, an interesting question which caused me to seek an answer via the might pf google

Most species of willow are Weeds of National Significance,,,,among the worst weeds in Australia because of their invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.

willows spread their roots into the bed of a watercourse, slowing the flow of water and reducing aeration. They form thickets which divert water outside the main watercourse or channel, causing flooding
and erosion where the creek banks are vulnerable.

Willow leaves create a flush of organic matter when they drop in autumn, reducing water quality and
available oxygen, and directly threatening aquatic plants and animals.

This, together with the amount of water willows use, damages stream health.

The replacement of native vegetation (eg river red gums) by willows reduces habitat (eg nesting hollows, snags) for both land and aquatic animals. Millions of dollars are spent each year on willow control in southeastern Australia using chemical and/or mechanical techniques. In Victoria alone, the cost of willow management is about $2 million annually.

and the article goes on at http://www.weeds.gov.au/publications/guidelines/wons/pubs/salix.pdf

neanderthalsis said :

dungfungus said :

Why are they not eradicating the trout as well?

Because trout taste better than willows.

I dunno, I quite like a fine slap up fried willow.

I always sucked as a batsman…

shirty_bear said :

“opportunities for community planting days” … wtf?? Read “opportunities for people to come and do ACTGovCo’s job for them, unpaid”.

The pillocks running the show continue to disguise their idiocy poorly.

And so, my fellow Canberran: ask not what your GovCo can do for you – ask what you can do for your GovCo

MERC600 said :

They would have a busy 10 years or so removing willows along the Murray between Tailem Bend and Murray Bridge. I wonder why they are such a heinous tree here, and others don’t give a rats. And yes as EvanJames says, what about erosion.

I suspect that the justification will relate to the high nutrient leaf litter they deposit in the relatively low volume waterways, as for South Australia goes I believe they are used to stabilise the levee banks; tho I spend a bit of time on the Murray each year and have noticed some large scale tree removal in some parts.

dungfungus said :

Nothing like a feed of “traut a la Triclopyr”

It would be interesting to find out what they’re using, a woody weed herbicide I imagine. Triclopyr is quite expensive though, most woody weedkillers tend to be.

DrKoresh said :

What is actually wrong with willows? 😐 I quite like them, aesthetically speaking.

Yeah. Soon the Greens will demand that the “W” word be expunged from the Australian lexicon.
That famous children’s book about Mr Toad and his mates will be renamed “Wind in The Casurinas”

neanderthalsis said :

dungfungus said :

Why are they not eradicating the trout as well?

Because trout taste better than willows.

I dunno, I quite like a fine slap up fried willow.

Does anyone know what the poison is that they use and do they submit an EIS and carry out a risk assessment?
Nothing like a feed of “traut a la Triclopyr”

What is actually wrong with willows? 😐 I quite like them, aesthetically speaking.

Smart jurisdictions (eg Bungendore) are planting desirable trees, and when they’re established, THEN they’re going to remove the weeping willows. The ACT tree police are somewhat fanatical however, and are focussed on eradicating all “bad” trees. Effect on the riverbanks, the waterways, the platypus, well, those are details.

“opportunities for community planting days” … wtf?? Read “opportunities for people to come and do ACTGovCo’s job for them, unpaid”.

The pillocks running the show continue to disguise their idiocy poorly.