Class 8
Weed Control
Most forms of weed control require some sort of training and protective equipment.
Plant ID is very important for all forms of weed control.
Hand Weeding - gloves to avoid cuts, prickles and bits
Motorised equipment - how to use it safely, ear and eye protection
Herbicides - Farm chemical users course, always follow instructions on label, never do anything that isn't on the label.
Work places should have documented procedures for OH and S, always follow them.

Weed Control Scenarios

Woody weeds in high quality remnant - depending upon the size and species, options include: hand pull seedlings, cut down (may need to paint stump with herbicide) be careful not to smother indigenous plants, ring bark/drill and fill etc. to leave tree to die standing reducing smothering and maintaining habitat.

Ellas back yard project. Isolated patches of remnant Dichondra and Violets, weeds include Vinca and kikuyu. Options
- treat whole area sacrificing remnants
- remove indigenous vegetation, treat weeds and then replant
- protect remnants with plastic etc. while treating weeds
- treatment of weeds may be physical removal (may need bobcat if large area, will result in a lot of material/soil being removed), herbicide application (may need to target species at different time of year with different herbicides), smothering with plastic etc. (may be time consuming, unsightly and need to maintain integrity of material)

"You have a patch of blackberry in amongst a reasonable remnant. It is slowly spreading. A family of Blue Wrens are using them for nesting. What are your options? What do you do?"
Go through options with class

Task to be completed for assessment

1. "Annual grassy weeds are growing along the edge of an indigenous grassland, threatening to drop their seed. It is mid to late Spring and seed is ripe. What are you options and what will you do?"

2. "You are managing a narrow strip of coastal grassland/shrubland, with houses backing onto the top of the primary dune. Coprosma (Mirror Bush) is a weed in dense patches close to the houses. What are your considerations? What are you options? What will you do?"

3. "You are managing an area of woodland that has only introduced tree species, no shrub layer and relatively intact ground layer. What can you do to return the area to its 'natural' state and over what time frame will work occur?"

4. "Perennial grassy weeds dominate a creek embankment. You need to revegetate the site. What do you need to consider? What are your options? What do you do?"