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Re: Goldenrod

Dear Joan,

It is probably Solidago canadensis.  We have the same problem at many of
our sites.  I have heard various strategies...some folks think that burning
too often contributes to the problem.  On newer restorations, burning is
important the first 1-5 years, but it would be good to cut back to burning
every 2-3 years to let the forbs get better established.  Some our prairie
gurus here have recommended pulling the flower heads so that they don't go
to seed.  Others have recommended going in with Roundup and killing the
large dense stands of this goldenrod and sowing other forbs in these areas
heavily.  This has worked at Meadowbrook (Bob Vaiden could comment more on
this).  Maybe you could get a girl scout or boy scout troop to come out and
help you do the pulling?  It would be a good educational experience for
them to see a restoration in progress.

How about some other comments from our prairie enthusiasts out there!
Have you tried any other management practices that have worked better?

Ruth

  >Thanks to everyone for all the advise on honeysukle and the dreaded kudzu.
>
>To futher the discussion about notious plants in the prairie, I am
>wondering about all the golden rod that I have popping up all over the
>place.  I live in East Central Illinois and have about 4 acres in prairie
>grasses with some forbs and about another 3 acres that was farmed and then
>put into brome and alfalfa.  Both of these areas have been burned for three
>years but not last year. I have another 10 acres, that has little trees on
>it and has never been burned.
>
>I am seeing so much goldenrod.  Will this pass as  did the giant ragweed
>and foxtail? Or, do I need to be doing something about it?  I actually like
>the look of it. It seeems great for the the insects and butterflies. (Has
>great galls for dried flower arrangements).
>
>We are planning on burning some this March...wondering if I should be
>planning to do something about all the golden rod?
>
>Thanks for the free advice.....Joan
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Ruth A. Green, Greenhouse Manager; Supportive Scientist
Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Biodiversity,
607 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL  61820
Office:  217-333-7091   FAX:  217-333-6294
Email:  rgreen@mail.inhs.uiuc.edu


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