HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 2019 update email
Grant, Kelly
From:Nance <ncarbone65@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 4, 2019 2:17 PM
To:Grant, Kelly
Subject:May 2019 Bamboo & Phragmite Report
Attachments:Bamboo & Phragmite Monitoring Report May 2019.pdf
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Hi Kelly,
I have attached the first monitoring report of this year. So far I am very pleased with the progress that has been made over the
past two years. The bamboo is showing a downward decline
each year and it is much more manageable. Hopefully, I will be stating the same about the phragmites in the next few years. I
have placed the large black sheeting at the end of April
and although it has hindered the growth beneath it, the phragmites are growing everywhere around it. I have noticed that
some wildflowers have grown to the left side and seem to have
helped a bit. I believe the next major step in eradicating it on the slope, above and below the slope will be planting native
shrubs and perennials in order to hinder its growth upward.
Let me know what your thoughts are.
Best,
Nance
From: Nance Carbone <ncarbone65@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2018 12:58 PM
To: 'Grant, Kelly' <KGrant@yarmouth.ma.us>
Subject: RE: phragmites
Hi Kelly,
I have found some interesting articles in reference to the control of phragmites. The two studies were done by the University of
Connecticut in the early 90’s . Here are some interesting finds:
Black plastic excludes visible light and therefore prevents photosynthesis (Elmore, 1990). Marks et al. (1994) briefly
mentions in a Nature Conservancy report that black plastic put in place from summer to the following spring for control
of Phragmites resulted in a 90% eradication in New York (Table 2). Black plastic appeared to be more effective than clear
plastic 22 applied at same time (Marks et al. 1994). Boone et al. (1987) also recommended the use of black plastic to
control Phragmites after attempting treatment with clear plastic.
A. Cutting and pulling:
Cutting or pulling has been used successfully to control phragmites. Treatments usually need to be repeated
annually. The best time to cut phragmites is at the end of July. Cutting at other times may increase stand density.
Phragmites stems should be cut below the lowest leaf, leaving a 6″ or shorter stump. Hand-held cutters and gas-
powered hedge trimmers work well. Weed whackers with a circular blade were found to be particularly efficient but
were more dangerous to volunteers (Marks et al., 1993). Cut or pulled material should be removed from the site and
composted or allowed to decay on the upland. Some patches may be too large to cut by hand, but repeated cutting
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of the perimeter of a stand can prevent vegetative expansion. Cutting can be expensive and labor intensive. In
Quincy, Mass., $150,000 was spent to cut 10 acres of phragmites three times one summer using Bobcats mounted
with lawnmower clippers. Hand-pulling, though labor intensive, is an effective technique for controlling phragmites in
small areas with sandy
soils.
B. Black Plastic:
After cutting a stand of phragmites, anchor a sheet of black plastic over the cut area using sand bags or rocks. High
temperatures under the plastic will eventually kill off the plants. This technique works best when the treated area is
in direct sunlight. The following year when the plastic is removed, a few phragmites shoots may return. These can
be cut or hand-pulled.
Black plastic excludes visible light and therefore prevents photosynthesis (Elmore, 1990). Marks et al. (1994) briefly
mentions in a Nature Conservancy report that black plastic put in place from summer to the following spring for control
of Phragmites resulted in a 90% eradication in New York (Table 2). Black plastic appeared to be more effective than clear
plastic 22 applied at same time (Marks et al. 1994). Boone et al. (1987) also recommended the use of black plastic to
control Phragmites after attempting treatment with clear plastic.
Best,
Nance
From: Nance Carbone \[mailto:ncarbone65@gmail.com\]
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 10:24 AM
To: 'Grant, Kelly'
Subject: RE: phragmites
Hi Kelly,
Yes, I agree that it may have more of an impact if placed earlier in the season but I didn’t read about it until a couple of weeks
ago. I think it will be a challenge to keep the fabric down and will have to
try either placing rocks or some sort of stakes. The area is so large that I am not sure it is controllable without extensive control
of the entire grove. I figured it was worth trying to at least see if it hinders
or slows the growth a bit at least on the slope. I will order the fabric and get started but realistically it may have to wait until the
spring to complete the project as planned.
I am very happy so far with the progress behind #20. Yes, we are just hand cutting the bamboo stalks which is much less labor
intensive with quite a decline in their growth overall.
Best,
Nance
From: Grant, Kelly \[mailto:KGrant@yarmouth.ma.us\]
Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 9:32 AM
To: 'Nance Carbone'
Subject: RE: phragmites
Hi Nance
You can try this approach where it is a monoculture but I would like to understand how it will be secured so it doesn’t
blow around and how long/when you plan to have it installed. It seems it would have made sense to have it in place
during the whole summer rather than at the end of the growing season. Also, I have read that it kills of the plant
material above ground and in shallow soils but doesn’t have much impact on the plant rhizomes which bounce back
once its removed.
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The area behind 20 Kingsbury Way has grown in very well now with natives so I assume you are just hand cutting
bamboo stalks as they appear in that area?
Thanks
Kelly
From: Nance Carbone \[mailto:ncarbone65@gmail.com\]
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2018 2:04 PM
To: Grant, Kelly <KGrant@yarmouth.ma.us>
Subject: phragmites
Hi Kelly,
I have been researching different methods for controlling phragmites from several sources. One successful method
used is blocking out sunlight by applying a black conservation fabric after cutting like below.
I was thinking we could try it along the bank and several feet in where we are presently cutting to monitor its
effectiveness. I think it may be a good option since no other plant species are
presently growing there unlike the bamboo grove where many species are now growing.
Recommendation is to apply after cutting which we did in June and plan to do again in the next few weeks.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
Best, Nance Carbone
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