WeedOut! Racine

Buckthorn

Buckthorn shades out native shrubs and trees through its rapid growth.    

Buckthorn is controlled by cutting, removal and herbicide on stumps almost any time of year.
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Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle makes thick clumps that shade the ground, preventing native growth.  No native plants mean no native insects, so less food for birds and fish.

Honeysuckle is controlled by cutting and glyphosate on the stumps.
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Garlic mustard

Garlic mustard grows almost all year round.  It chemically suppresses seedling trees, takes over forests.  It is not desirable food for critters.

Garlic mustard is usually removed by pulling the whole plant out by the roots, and putting the plants into trash bags marked "DO NOT COMPOST."  It has to be removed before it goes to seed.
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Dames rocket & Burdock

These invasive plants ("forbs") love the open sunny space, but we pull them before they go to seed we can get them under control.

Dames rocket

This garish flower can easily take over a field, supressing other plants.  If we pull them before they go to seed we will get them under control until the new trees shade them out.  The Parks Department takes them to the land fill.

Burdock

The burrs, or seed heads, stick like Velcro to cloth, fur or hair.  We cut the stalks before they go to seed and remove them before they crowd out everything else and cause trouble for people and their pets.
Dames rocket info Burdock -- the origin of what?

Phragmities & Canary reed grass

These invasive plants can take over wetlands, supressing trees and other plants.  They also form dense root mats that prevent water infiltration.  Water runoff can add pollution to the Root River, and just above the DNR Root River Steelhead Facility.  For more on water runoff management in Colonial Park, see the button below.

Phragmities

This invasive makes dense root mats, which prevent other plants from growing and keep rain and polluted runoff from getting into the ground.  We have to remove phragmites to keep the pollution from getting into the Root River a few yards away.  Special training, equipment and permits are needed. 

Reed canary grass (RCG)

RCG grows early in spring - beating out native grasses, suppressing tree seedlings, and keeps polluted water on the surface instead of sinking in and getting naturally purified.  Large areas require treatment by professionals.  Small areas can be smothered with cardboard
details on Phragmities and RCG Managing water runoff

Recent Invasives -- 

Lesser Celandine, purple loosestrife, and Teasel were found in Lower Colonial in 2024

Lesser Celandine

This early, sprouting invasive species starts early in spring and grows vigorously.  It can outcompete native spring plants before they even have a chance. Although sometimes available commercially, in this natural area park it out competes and suppresses natives.  If we catch them early we can keep it under control.

Purple loosestrife and teasel

Both these invasives are in the Racine area, but they were first discovered in Lower Colonial Park in 2024.  We spend some time walking the paths searching for these "new" invasive plants.
More on lesser celandine Teasle & purple loosestrife