Are blackberries and ivy taking over your forest? Are dreaded species like knotweed and Scotch broom popping up on your property? Invasive weeds not only inhibit growth or even kill your trees, they cause significant ecological harm by crowding out native species, degrading wildlife habitat, and increasing erosion.
Washington State University Extension Foresters help Skagit County-area landowners protect their property, at an Invasive Forest Weed Control Field Practicum, Saturday, Sept. 15, in Concrete, Wash.
At this field practicum, you will learn to identify and control some of the most common invasive weeds that cause economic and environmental damage in forests, such as blackberries, knotweed, Scotch broom, tansy ragwort, herb Robert, and more.
This practicum is completely field based and hands-on. After safety briefings, participants don protective gear to watch demonstrations and then do hands-on practice of control techniques, such as hand-pulling, root digging, and how to use herbicides safely and effectively.
The event is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 15, at Skagit River Woods Camping Country Club, 38120 Cape Horn Rd., Concrete.
Pre-registration is required. Learn more at the WSU Extension Forestry event site.