Despite the rumours, the proliferation of the invasive plant Scotch broom across Vancouver Island can be stopped, according to Joanne Sales.
Sales, a director with the Broombusters Invasive Plant Society, spoke to North Cowichan’s council at its meeting on March 4 to provide an update of the society’s work in the Cowichan Valley, and the Island.
“It can be stopped, and it has been in some areas,” she said.
“In a lot of cases, people are taking them down wrong. Their seeds drop in the soil and they continue to grow.”
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Sales said Scotch broom should be cut while in bloom in late April and May before they begin forming seeds.
She said they should not be pulled out of the ground, but cut right at the ground level to be successful.
“This invasive plant spreads rapidly in the sun, is highly flammable, crowds out native species, and prevents the regrowth of our forests,” Sales said.
“The plant is toxic to grazing animals and wildlife, makes private property, parks and farmland unusable and causes allergic reactions in many people. Broom spreads rapidly and each plant produces about 18,000 seeds that can stay in the soil for years.”
Residents began broombusting in Chemainus and Maple Bay in 2014 after a delegation from the Broombusters organization, a non-profit society that support the efforts of local residents in broom-control programs, appeared before council and has achieved some significant successes in the Valley since then.
Sales said Broombusters will be clearing broom from the Island Highway between Mill Bay and Lantzville this spring, and volunteers from Maple Bay, Chemainus and around Stoney Hill Regional Park will continue with their own projects.
She told council that Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Campbell River have developed bylaws in the ongoing fight against Scotch broom, and encouraged North Cowichan to do the same.
For more information or to get involved, check out www.broombusters.org.
robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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