Saltcedar is native to Eurasia but was introduced to North American in the early 1800’s as an ornamental and also for erosion control.  It was quick to escape cultivation and has since been spreading rapidly.  This attractive shrub has characteristics similar to an evergreen but looses its leaves in the colder months and is therefore considered deciduous.  Saltcedars readily establish along waterways, streams, canals, banks, drainage areas, and anywhere that the soils are exposed to an extended period of moisture.

Saltcedar has become well established throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico.  There are also extensive infestations in many of the northern states and small but well-established stands in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota.  In most western Montana counties, these shrubs are found as ornamental in landscaped yards.

Concerns

This long-lived shrub (50-100 years) can spread by both vegetative re-growth and seeds.  Each flowering shrub produces around 600,000 seeds.  Not only are they long lived and have great reproductive capabilities, but they also grow extremely rapidly.  Most of these shrubs can flower the same year they germinate.  They exclude native vegetation by exuding salts above and below ground.  This creates a saline crust, which inhibits other plants from growing in close proximity.  The other main concern with Saltcedar is its consumption of large quantities of water.  One shrub can consume up to 250 gallons of water in 1 day.  This can result in lowering the ground water and drying up springs and marshes, which in turn lessens the amount of water available in riparian areas.  Saltcedar’s dense roots also slow down river flow, which increases deposition of sediments along the river bank.  This widens the riparian zones causing a severe reduction in streamflow or rechanneling, which creates more habitat for Saltcedar to colonize.

Identification

This shrub can reach heights of up to 25 feet and has dense branches that often make it many feet wide.  The narrow leaves of a Saltcedar resemble those of a juniper but they fall off in the colder months unlike junipers.  This shrub is also known as a smoke tree because of it beautiful plumes of deep pink to white flowers that crowd the tips of the branches.  The bark of a Saltcedar is reddish-brown, while the wood is soft and white.  The smooth bark becomes furrowed with age.

What can you do?

Saltcedar is very difficult to control.  A combination of methods is the most effective means of control.  Cutting the stump and immediately applying herbicide has proved to be successful.  The herbicide has to be applied within 1 minute of cutting the shrub or it will not penetrate into the stump.  If you have a Saltcedar or you know where one is please contact your local weed district.  We will be happy to help in the proper control of these highly invasive shrubs.

Visit the MWCA Weed ID pages for additional information and pictures of saltcedar.

This series of articles was developed by Ravalli County.  If you would like to use these articles please contact Ravalli County Weed District Weed Coordinator at (406) 777-5842.

Scholarships are be limited to students pursuing a degree (B.S., M.S., PhD) in natural resource management (i.e. range ecology and management, land rehabilitation, land resources sciences, crop science, weed science, forest resource management, etc.) at an accredited four-year Montana university.  Applicants must be a Montana resident, a full-time student, and must have completed at least one full year of post-secondary education in their degree field.  Students receiving a scholarship may reapply in subsequent years. Preference will be given to students that demonstrate financial need and dedication to their educational pursuits (i.e. internships, special projects, GPA). Montana Weed Control Association members or immediate family member of a MWCA member will be given preference.

Find out more on our awards page and get your application in before the deadline.  Good Luck

• Grand Prize is a $4,000 travel voucher to allow you to plan the trip of your dreams.
• Second Prize s a Honda CRF150 Dirt Bike.
• Third Prize is a $500 gift card.

The dirt bike will be making the rounds and tickets can be purchased at the following fairs:

• Lake County will be selling tickets at the the fair in Ronan August 2nd – 8th.
• Powell County Fair

If your county isn’t listed it may be that we could not get the bike out to your fair.  Have no worries, many county weed districts do have raffle tickets that you can purchase.  If not you can also purchase tickets online or by calling our office at (406) 684-5590.

Download the complete  notice of the proposed rule amendment to the regulated plants list.

If you have any questions or comments please contact Cort Jensen at (406)444-3144 or by email at agr@mt.gov.  The comment period ends August 12, 2010.

Houndstongue was introduced into the U.S. in the 1900’s from Eurasia as a cereal contaminant.  It is also known as sheep’s lice, dog’s bur, beggar’s lice, woolmat, and glovewort.  The seed of houndstongue has been said to be the inspiration for Velcro.

Concerns

In Montana, houndstongue infests an estimated 36,000 acres.  Where it is established it will displaces native vegetation and cause problems on pasturelands. The taproot of houndstongue grows deep into the soil and is very efficient at capturing soil nutrients and water reducing what is available for beneficial native grasses and forbs.

It has an uncanny ability to disperse its seeds. The seeds of houndstongue are covered with Velcro-like barbs that attach to clothing, hair, fur, and feathers.  They can be transported long distances into new areas by animals, people, vehicles, etc.  Each plant can produce up to 2000 seeds that can remain viable on the parent plant for 2-3 years.

Houndstongue is not generally palatable to grazing animals but on occasion when they are in a confined area with nothing else to eat they will graze on it.  This can be a problem because houndtongue contains poisonous chemicals that in high doses can kill an animal.  The chemical found in houndstongue is pyrroli-zidine alkaloids, which will cause liver damage in horses and cattle but not in sheep.

Identification

Houndstongue is a member of the Boraginaceae (Borage) family.  It is a biennial, meaning that its lifecycle is completed in two years.  The first year a rosette will emerge and the second year flowering stocks will grow up to 4 feet tall.  The rosette and flowering stock leaves are oblong and are covered in soft white hairs.  The deep vienation on the leaves is said to resemble a hound’s tongue, which lead to its common name.  The flowers range from red to a deep burgundy.  Each flower produces a seed cluster containing 3-4 teardrop-shaped fruits or nutlets.  It begins flowering in mid-June.

What can you do?

The most important management tool for houndstoungue is prevention. It is important to not let this weed spread and establish in new areas. You can help stop the spread of this weed by: containing infestations, limiting weed seed dispersal, identifying and eradicating new infestations, minimizing soil disturbance, planting competitive grasses, and properly grazing infested areas.

Hand-pulling this weed is beneficial, as long as at least 2 inches of the root crown is removed.  After removing houndstongue bag or burn the weed in order not to spread the seeds. An effective biological control has not yet been release in Montana. There are also herbicides that work well on houndstongue.  For more information on houndstongue or any other weed, call your local county weed district.

Visit the MWCA Weed ID pages for additional information and pictures of Houndstongue.

This series of articles was developed by Ravalli County.  If you would like to use these articles please contact Ravalli County Weed District Weed Coordinator at (406) 777-5842.

The article quotes two MWCA members Paul Wick, MWCA President & Teton County Weed Coordinator, and Tonda Moon, Montana Department of Ag Weed Specialist & a member of the MWCA Integrated Weed Management Committee .  The article follows:

Survey: More money needed to fight noxious weeds
Rocky Mountain Front land managers say $1.1M spent to fight noxious weeds, more needed

Matt Volz, Associated Press Writer, On Thursday July 8, 2010, 12:19 pm EDT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Land managers along the Rocky Mountain Front spent an estimated $1.1 million last year to fight noxious weeds, and most believe that more is needed to control the spread, according to a survey released Wednesday.

The survey questioned 10 different federal, state, local and non-governmental agencies that manage land on or near some 2 million acres where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains.

It was commissioned by The Wilderness Society on behalf of the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front, a group promoting a plan to protect more than 300,000 acres in the region.

The agencies that responded said they spent about $840,000 combined last year to manage spotted knapweed, leafy spurge and other noxious weeds. The survey’s author, economist Joe Kerkvliet of The Wilderness Society, estimated $230,000 was spent on top of that.

“We wanted to quantify, get a better estimate on just how much money they do spend,” Kerkvliet told reporters Wednesday.

Nine of the 10 agencies said their budgets fell short of allowing them to do all they could to control the spread of the weeds. Most said they’d need a budget increase of about 50 percent to accomplish their goals, according to the survey.    Read the rest of the article here.

Canada thistle is native to Europe and northern Asia and was brought to the United States in the early 1600’s as a contaminant in grain.  By the 1950’s, Canada thistle was declared a noxious weed in 43 states. Canada thistle was partially responsible for the existence of noxious weed laws.  In the 1900’s, the Canada thistle law was enacted.  It gave a person the right to trespass onto someone else’s property in the name of Canada thistle eradication.

Concerns

Canada thistle is an aggressive competitor.  This weed has a long creeping root system that will steal precious nutrients and water from native vegetation.  The height of this weed also shades the ground below making it very difficult for grasses and forbs to grow.  Canada thistle will form colonies in areas that have been recently disturbed, abandoned fields, ditches, and prairies.

The presence of this weed will change the plant structure of communities and decrease biodiversity.  Canada thistle can be a huge problem on agricultural land due to the fact that it is an alternate host for some insects and pathogens that are known to attack certain crops.  It is also difficult and expensive to control.

Identification

This thistle is unique because it is a perennial, whereas most thistles are biennial, this also makes it harder to control.  Canada thistle can grow from 1 to 4 feet tall.  The leaves of this thistle are attached alternately along the stem; they are lance-shaped, lobed and spine-tipped.  The leaves get gradually smaller as they progress up the stem.  The stem is branched and sometimes hairy, but it lacks spines.

The flowers of the Canada thistle are usually purple and sometimes white.  They are ½ to ¾ inch in diameter and grow in clusters at the end of stems.  Each plant can produce up to 5,300 seeds that are easily distributed by the wind due to the tufts of hair attached to them.  The seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 20 years.

What can you do?

Stop small infestations before they take over.  Burning and mowing are somewhat effective because they allow native and desirable plant to compete with this weed.  These two techniques must be repeated for many years to achieve real success because of the longevity of the seeds in the soil and the weeds ability to sprout from broken roots.  Hand pulling and cultivation generally are ineffective and time consuming.  These two methods will not remove all of the roots and plant will re-sprout from the remaining roots.  There are herbicides that are effective.  If you have any further questions regarding this weed or other weeds on your property call your local weed district.

Visit the MWCA Weed ID pages for additional information and pictures of Canada Thistle.

This series of articles was developed by Ravalli County.  If you would like to use these articles please contact Ravalli County Weed District Weed Coordinator at (406) 777-5842.

The proposed NPDES permit (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) was proposed because of a sixth court ruling where the EPA lost lawsuits in every circuit concerning the clean water act and pesticides. Previously, EPS’s 2006 rule stated that NPDES permits were not required for applications of pesticides when in compliance with FIFRA labels. Now all weed managers will be required to file for a permit when spraying over or near U.S. waters and that includes irrigation ditches and ponds; any body of water that can flow into waters of the U.S.

This permit is filled with unrealistic expectations in light of the fact pesticide application is weather dependent, duplicating existing efforts, and huge potential cost impacts. Just a couple of highlights from yesterday’s listening session:

• It was suggested by EPA that the best way to file a permit would be online, however, Montana will not be set up to complete this function, so the time frame to not only receive permission to treat would be lengthy (and you are not permitted to apply if near or over water if you do not have your permit/management plan in place) and the Montana office may not fully understand how many weed managers will need to file a permit in Montana. This permit is to take effect in April of 2011.
• You have ten days to complete application after approval.
• There will be a fee attached to each and every permit.
• The authors of this permit are currently trying to determine if a permit will apply a single body of water, or if a permit will be applied to an area (such as a watershed or a county). MWCA and MDA will be pushing for a possible state-wide permit.
• Montana Dept of Ag already has scientific-based data based on their monitoring of waters in the state (no other state does) and the incidents of high levels of pesticides in the water are minimal or non-existent; meaning we already have responsible applicators in Montana who do adhere to the label. Applicators who already adhere to FIFRA labels, will have to duplicate efforts to comply with the federal law.
• Citizens will be able to sue anyone who applies herbicide over or near water with this new permit and the fines could reach $37,500 per day if an applicator is found in violation of the clean water act.
• Montana DEQ personnel stated yesterday that if a weed truck rolls into a river on the way to a meeting (not in their county) they are in violation of the clean water act and can be fined, unless they have a permit in that area.  They were not able to answer the question “Will this scenario will mean all applicators will have to have a permit for their traveling area or entire state?”

It is imperative that you send in your comments and concerns to the EPA by July 19^th (next Monday) for public comment. Save your comments, because Montana DEQ will also be asking for public comment in the near future. There will be parties who will certainly be working  to get this legislation passed as drafted, but weed managers need to provide enough comment and information to change  the criteria outlined in this permit so that if passed that it contains regulation that is realistic when Mother Nature is one of the elements of use of pesticides and the paperwork and costs are not prohibitive. You can simply write up your concerns and comments in a Word document and email those comments to
ow-docket@epa.gov.  You can click here for the fact sheet or here for the FAQ.

Your contacts for more answers or information would be David Rise with Montana EPA Region 8 at Rise.David@epamail.epa.gov or Jenny Chambers, Bureau Chief of Water Protection Bureau, DEQ at jchambers@mt.gov

Becky Kington
MWCA Executive Director

Additional NPDES related information links:

Comment Guidelines document  by Jim Skillen, Director of Science & Regulatory Affairs for RISE and Carlton Layne, Executive Director for the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation that is targeted at small businesses and applicators of aquatic pesticides.

Comments statement submitted by the Weed Science Society of America and its affiliate societies.

Melissa Graves, Plant Identification Diagnostician from Montana State University’s Schutter Diagnostic Lab, gave a full description of the invasive aquatic plant that occurs in ponds, lakes, and slower moving streams or rivers.

“Curly-leaf pondweed prefers shallow water depths with a silty, high-nutrient bottom. It is distinguished from native pondweed species by its growth habit and distinctive leaf edges. Unlike native pondweeds, it actively grows in winter, with new plants emerging in spring. The leaves have wavy edges resembling lasagna noodles. They are about one to three inches long, narrow, reddish in color, and translucent, with flattened stems visible through the leaves.”

Read the complete article from MSU News Service here.

Visit the MWCA curly leaf pondweed identification page.

Annual Conference Raffle Winners

• ATV  with sprayer – Ron Sessman
• Raft – Marilyn Olsen
• Montana Silversmith Gift Certificate  – Todd Wagner

Gun Monthly Raffle Winners:

January: Savage93R17FSS .17HMR  - Frank Goddard

February: Ruger 77 204Ruger – Marty Mendenhall

March: Savage MKII .22LR -  Suzanne Beauchaine

April: Remington 870 28 ga – Doug Bruha

May: Savage 16FXP3 .223 – Doug Schwend

June: Browning 325WSM X-Bolt -Mike Stevenson

July: Savage 7mm08 – Mark Honken

August: Savage 243

September: Browning 300WSM X-Bolt

October: Remington 870 12 ga

November: Savage 22-250

December: Browning 270WSM X-Bolt