From afar the non-native phragmitie reed grasses look like a large and lovely natural privacy screen and up close they are towering reeds with stunning feathery tops. Underground however, they are a fast-moving dark-web of rhizomes that are quietly taking over any area that they show up in. They are invasive and pose several ecological threats to include; altering hydrology and wildlife habitat, increases fire potential and shades native species and the rhizomes store energy so the plant can recover from cutting, burning or grazing. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
This reed grass was identified on our land by a Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRSC) employee while we were on a land walk a of couple years ago and controlling it has since become an additional piece to the conservation and regenerative practices we have been building on.
“You will need to use a chemical herbicide to effectively control phragmities,” said the professionals as did all of the articles I had read. “Ugh….I reeeeeeally don’t want to use chemicals,” said me (déjà vu Canada Thistles). So, I didn’t. At first.
Last fall I attempted to smother them. After cutting the tallest of phragmites and disposing of the feather seed tops, I mowed the remaining, then covered the entire area with several inches of old hay and straw. Out of sight out of mind. Until this spring. They were back and they were everywhere. I mowed them again. They came back again, and quick, and now there were even more of them. My experiment was a fail.
The plan today is to build on a consistent combination of herbicide use and mechanical control (mowing). This Fall I am treating every stinking phragmite reed and new growth with a 41% Glyphosate herbicide. And then mowing, again. And given all the new growth I have seen, I will be re-treating again next Spring, mowing again and re-treating and mowing again in the Fall. Rinse and repeat.
Sometimes you need to be open to using chemicals on the land if it means tackling invasives and succeeding in creating space for native plants to thrive and better support wildlife and pollinators.
Phragmitie new growth that has been treated and is now dying.
Phragmitie reeds that have been cut and treated....and are now dead.
The corpses of cut phragmitie reeds. These were disposed of to prevent spreading of the seed top.
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