**EXOTIC PLANT MANAGEMENT**

REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS

**PROGRESS REPORT**

**FY 1998**

(October 1997 to September 1998)

Diona Roja

December 1998

**PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS**

Approximately 8,000 hours were spent controlling exotic plants this
year. The attached spreadsheet file (Table 1) shows the exact amount of
work accomplished this fiscal year.

Redwood National Park has been assigned one full-time inmate work crew
from California Department of Corrections, Alder Camp. When not fighting
wildland fires, they are available to work on pre-approved work projects
for the park. The fifteen to seventeen member crew primarily works on
vegetation management and prescribed fire work projects. They spent a
total of 4,285 person hours in the field working on exotic plant control
projects.

Weed project data for Scotch broom and Ivy removal projects were input
for the California Noxious Weed Control Project Inventory in support of
the goals and objectives of the interagency California Noxious Weeds
MOU. Data base information is now available on the internet at:
http://endeavor.des.ucdavis.edu/weeds/

European beach grass, *Ammophila arenaria*, pampas grass, *Cortaderia
jubata*, and thistle exotic plant distributions were digitized for
Freshwater Spit and Gold Bluffs Beach.

A project clearance for European beach grass removal, using the
effective eradication technique developed by the Nature Conservancy, was
prepared. At Lanphere-Christensen Dunes Preserve in Humboldt County, the
Nature Conservancy successfully eradicated a ten-acre area of beachgrass
with repeated manual digging over a five-year period (Pickart 1997).
Although labor intensive, the cost is balanced by the fact that this
method eliminates the need for revegetation. If approved, work will
begin in February 1999 as plants emerge out of dormancy.

Two new non-native species have been found in the parks this year.
Burdock, *Arctium lappa*, was located on one of the islands in the
Klamath estuary by Jim Wheeler. Vicki Ozaki reported Butterfly bush,
*Buddleja davidii*, along the river banks at Jedediah Smith Campground.

The California Conservation Corps (CCC) have done excellent work
removing Scotch broom from the Bald Hills. The CCC completed the 1997
Native Prairie Restoration Project contract in FY98. They are now
available to work 6,000 hours for Resource Management toward their lease
agreement with Redwood National Park at no cost to the Division. The
plan is to use 2,000 of those hours for a CCC intern position in FY99.

YCC crews assisted with thistle removal in the Bald Hills and spotted
knapweed removal at Jedediah Smith Campground.

Volunteers included Youth Conservation Corps, Saint Mary's Middle School
from Medford, Oregon, high school students from Eureka, Illinois, and
VIP's Daniella Scalice, Nicole Spencer,

and Rachel Silverman.

**References:**

Pickart, Andrea J. 1997. Control of European beachgrass
([Ammophila]{.underline} [arenaria]{.underline}) on the west coast of
the United States. Unpublished document. The Nature Conservancy, Arcata,
California.

**SPECIFIC CONTROL EFFORTS**

# HIGH PRIORITY SPECIES

**Scotch Broom**, *Cytisus scoparius*

California Conservation Corps (CCC) completed their contract for the
Native Prairie Restoration Project.

We continued monitoring the effects of fire on first-year Scotch boom
through periodic visits to the 20 transects established in 1997. The
data suggests that use of prescribed grass fire with low surface
moisture, low to moderate humidity, warm air temperature, and long
duration (generally associated with a backing fire) is 100 percent
lethal to young Scotch broom (see attached summary).

In late fall, native grass seed, *Elymus glaucus* and *Danthonia
californica,* that was collected during late summer, was introduced into
five prepared sites. Sites exhibiting soil damage from increased fuel
loading, burned brush piles, were the highest priority. Native grass
seed was prepared by 1) vigorously shaking seed from grass stalks, 2)
scarifying *Danthonia californica* by vigorously rubbing seed between
gloved hands, 3) placing seed into zip-lock bags and weighing bags.
After the seed was raked into the soil, the grass stalks were spread
over seeded areas as a mulch. We also added few shovels of adjacent soil
to the soil damaged sites in order to introduce beneficial soil
microorganisms that assist the germination and growth of grass seed.
*Elymus glaucus* was present in two sites during spring monitoring,
however *Danthonia californica* was not found in any of the sites.

In August, 1998, *Elymus glaucus* was collected and will be planted in
two additional soil damaged sites this fall. It is strongly advised that
additional fuel not be added to Scotch broom seed beds, unless we are
able to follow-up with revegetation. A complete report monitoring the
effects of fire on first-year Scotch boom will be completed in FY99.

Manual removal will continue along roadsides and unburned areas.

**Cape Ivy,** *Delaireria odorata* formerly known as **German Ivy,**
*Senecio mikanioides*

Cape ivy has been identified at Davison, Requa, Nickel Creek, B-mill
deck, and the lease-back property near Wilson Creek. Removal of new
sprouts continue at Davison and a project is underway at the lease-back
property near Wilson Creek.

**English Ivy,** *Hedera helix*

There was major infestation of English ivy at Marshall Pond which
threatened old-growth and second-growth forests. Ivy plants covered most
of the ground and were climbing up the trees along flint ridge trail
area. Some of the vines had over a 3 inch diameter. An ivy removal
project was initiated at Marshall Pond FY97. Alder camp inmate crews
removed the above ground portions of ivy by cutting vines at the base of
the trees with hand tools and pulling most of the vines off the trees.
The exposed rooting stems were then pulled out. Plant material that
could not be removed from tree tops was left and eventually died. The
ivy was piled in the deck area, left to dry, and later burned. Many
native plants now flourish around Marshall Pond in the areas cleared of
ivy. The crew will return this next fiscal year to pull ivy that was not
accessible (along steep banks) during the rainy season, and remove new
plants.

**Gorse,** *Ulex europaea*

A small patch of gorse was found at Redwood Information Center (RIC) in
the north island of the parking lot last year. No plants were found this
year.

**Pampas Grass,** *Cortaderia jubata*

Most plants are pulled using a winch and choker. This has proven to be a
very effective and time saving method. A small choker cable is set
around the base of a large clump of pampas grass and hooked up to an
electric winch mounted on a pickup. Several hundred plants were removed
from Hwy 101 Bypass this year.

Pampas grass distributions have been mapped between Freshwater Spit and
Mussel Rock. A project clearance for Pampas grass removal at Freshwater
will be prepared in FY99.

**Tansy Ragwort,** *Senecio jacobaea*

A small population of Tansy was found and removed along the road to Wolf
Creek outdoor school. Biological control agents continue to keep
populations in the Crescent Beach area under control. The Cinnabar moth
has been found on plants in the Williams Ridge area of the Bald Hills,
but the more effective flea beetle has not been seen in this area. Tansy
is primarily controlled with manual removal in the Bald Hills.

**Iceplant,** *Carpobrotus chilensis*

I am pleased to report that it is becoming more and more difficult to
find iceplant at Freshwater spit with each passing year.

**Yellow Bush Lupine,** *Lupinus arboreus*

There has been a slight increase in the number of bush lupine found at
Freshwater spit.

Approximately a dozen plants were removed this year.

**Himalayan Blackberry**, *Rubus discolor*

NCIDC and NPS support crews assisted with the removal of Himalayan
blackberry from around the buildings at the Prairie Creek fish hatchery.
A visit and consultation with North District Rangers was held in August
about some concern they had with a population of Himalayan blackberry
along Enderts beach road. It was decided that they would cut/mow the
blackberry bushes along the roadside as needed.

**Star Thistle,** *Centaurea solstitialis*

Humboldt County Department of Agriculture contacted the park to see if
we were interested in having the County release biocontrol agents in the
park to control star thistle in the Bald Hills.

There is not a large enough population of star thistle to support the
insects. In addition, Redwood National Park will only consider
introduction of biological control agents after several years of
scientific evaluation.

**OTHER SPECIES**

**Spanish Heath,** *Erica lucitanica*

Less than a dozen new seedlings were found this year.

**Bull Thistle,** *Cirsium arvense*

The thistle populations around South Operations Center (SOC) have been
expanding. This reduces available forage areas for the elk. Regular
mowing through the growing season can eradicate bull thistle in three
years with proper timing. With the assistance of Roads and Trails, a
mowing strategy to eradicate bull thistle around SOC was implemented.
Thistle was mowed the week of April 13^th^, June 15^th^, and August
17^th^. I would recommend beginning a week earlier in April, and 2 weeks
earlier in June and August for this next year, and maybe add a fourth
mow in late August or early July. The support crew weedeated areas not
accessible to the mower.

**STATE PARKS**

**Spotted Knapweed,** *Centaurea maculosa*

A spotted knapweed removal day was organized for the Jedediah Smith
Campground. RNP's Exotic Plant Manager, State Park Resource Ecologist,
Youth Conservation Corps, and people from Del Norte County Department of
Agriculture(CDA), State Parks, and National Park removed over 350 plants
from the gravel bar. Two years ago less than 50 plants were found. CDA
has been actively controlling spotted knapweed on adjacent lands and are
eager to assist at Jedediah. The area should be regularly monitored
throughout the summer, to insure that plants are pulled before they set
seed. California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) personnel
were given on-site instruction in identification of key exotic species
and effective removal techniques.

**Fennel,** *Foeniculum vulgare*

There are extensive populations of fennel along Hwy 101 near Klamath.
With this seed source, it is likely that we will see small populations
of fennel popping up along the roadways throughout the parks.

Presently, fennel is being controlled along Newton P. Drury Scenic
Parkway between the South entrance and mile post 126.88. Most of the
plants are concentrated around the bridge area. The best time to attack
these plants is early spring when the soil is moist and many of the
plants can be pulled by hand. A pulaski works well digging out plants
that cannot be pulled by hand.

**Wild Teasel,** *Dipsacus fullonum*

A few plants were pulled along the east side of Newton P. Drury Scenic
Parkway approximately 50 feet north of the Big Tree entrance in FY97. No
plants were found in FY98.

**Canada Thistle,** *Cirsium arvense*

There is approximately ½ acre of Canada thistle along Davison Coastal
Rd. approximately ¼ mile south of the second day use area of Gold Bluffs
Beach. NPS Exotic Plant Manager provided CDPR staff on-site training in
identification of bull thistle, Canada thistle, and pampas grass.
Control and removal techniques were also discussed. Personnel have been
cutting flower heads and bagging before cutting plants. The perimeter of
the Canada thistle patch was staked with ½ inch rebar to monitor spread
of thistle. Staff will continue cutting back plants to control spread
until an approved eradication method is implemented. Work hours and cost
analysis is recorded (see attached control records for Gold Bluffs
Beach).

**Pampas Grass,** *Cortederia jubata*

Most of the accessible pampas grass has been removed from the Gold
Bluffs beach area under the direction of trained CDPR staff.

**European Beachgrass,** *Ammophila arenaria*

European beachgrass, pampas grass, and thistle populations have been
digitized for the Gold Bluffs Beach area. There was no removal of
beachgrass.

**Butterfly bush**, *Buddleja davidii*

CDPR staff were instructed in identification and removal techniques for
*Buddleja* at Jedediah Smith Campground. Several large, 10-15 feet tall,
plants were winched out of the gravel bar.

**[Related Reports]{.underline}**

**[for]{.underline}**

**[FY 97]{.underline}**

**Table 1. Exotic Plant Control Activities**

**National Park Service**

Staff who participated in control activities:

> [Research and Resources Management]{.underline} - Jim Popenoe, Terry
> Hofstra, Diona Roja, Tony LaBanca, Leonel Arguello, Stephen Underwood,
> Vicki Ozaki, Labor Crew
>
> [Interpretation]{.underline} - Jim Wheeler

Costs are estimated at \$17 per hour, except for the labor crew which is
estimated at \$20 per hour. Costs do not include reconnaissance and
research or time spent traveling to work sites, so estimates are *very*
conservative.

**California Department of Forestry**

California Department of Forestry Alder Camp (CDF) crews were also
utilized with little cost to Vegetation Management. Reimbursement costs
to CDF are estimated at \$50 per day.

**Youth Conservation Corps**

Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) assisted with thistle removal in the Bald
Hills, and spotted knapweed removal along the river at Jedediah Smith
Campground at no expense to Vegetation Management.

**Volunteers-In-Park**

VIP who participated in control activities:

Daniella Scalice, Nicole Spencer, and Rachel Silverman

**Plant abbreviations**

ACLA *Actium lappa,* Burdock

AMAR *Ammophila arenaria,* European Beachgrass

ALsp *Alstroemeria sp.,* Peruvian Lily

BAPI *Baccharispilularis*, Coyote Brush

BUDA *Buddleja davidii,* Butterfly bush

CACH *Carpobrotus chilensis,* Ice Plant

CEMA *Centaurea maculosa,* Spotted Knapweed

CESO *Centaurea solstitialis,* Star Thistle

CIAR *Cirsium arvense,* Canada Thistle

CIVU *Cirsium vulgare,* Bull thistle

COFR *Cotoneaster franchetti,* Cotoneaster

COJU *Cortaderia jubata,* Pampas Grass

CYSC *Cytisus scoparius,* Scotch Broom

DEOD *Delaireria odorata* Cape Ivy, formerly German Ivy

DIFU *Dipsacus fullonum,* Wild Teasel

DIPU *Digitalis purpurea,* Foxglove

ERLU *Erica lucitanica,* Spanish Heath

FOVU *Foeniculum vulgare,* Fennel

GEMO *Genista monspessulana*

HEHE *Hedera helix,* English Ivy

HYPE *Hypericum perforatum,* Klamath Weed

ILAQ *Ilex aquifolium,* English Holly

LUAR *Lupinus arboreus,* Yellow Bush Lupine

OEGL *Oenothera glazioviana,* Cultivated Evening Primrose

PIRA *Pinus radiata,* Monterey Pine

RUDI *Rubus discolor,* Himalayan Blackberry

SEJA *Senecio jacobaea,* Tansy Ragwort

SIMA *Silybum marianum,* Milk Thistle