Not To Be Outdone

On the heels of the story about the Native Dogwood and Serviceberry, the weather went from spring to 80 degree plus days. All of a sudden we can see the bright yellow of Scotch Broom brilliantly flaunting its existence. Although it is beautifully dramatic, Scotch Broom is an invasive that was brought to this county many years ago. Where the plants grew undisturbed through the winter and early spring, they now are easy to spot.

Taken from OSU Extension;

Although admired for its yellow blooms, the Scotch broom shrub has become an invasive species throughout the Pacific Northwest, where it competes with native plants and forms dense stands that are difficult to manage and remove.

Scotch broom was introduced from Europe as a garden ornamental by early settlers of the Pacific Coast. Later it was used to prevent erosion and stabilize banks and sand dunes. The woody shrub establishes quickly in disturbed areas, according to Andy Hulting, a weed specialist for the Oregon State University Extension Service.

“Its invasive habit and economic costs have landed Scotch broom on the State Weed Board’s list of noxious weeds, along with its relatives French, Portuguese and Spanish brooms and gorse,” Hulting said. Scotch broom costs Oregonians an estimated $40 million per year in lost timber revenue and control efforts.

You can probably write the rest of this story yourself…I will be out scouting and eliminating Scotch Broom for a few days in an effort to get the woody invasive plants eradicated before those pretty yellow blooms set their pea pod looking seeds. The tools of my trade will be a weed wrench, a shovel and my chain saw.

The area where I see the most plants are on the rocky deposits along the river. These seeds were brought in by high water and settled between rocks in the sand, but I am also seeing several spots at the edge of the forest were the plants are trying to crowd at the open areas. The sneaky invasives grow in plain sight and are easy to miss until the bright flowers show themselves.

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