David Hanlon Posts

Invasion Plant Reduction

A small group of us will be removing wild parsnip from the ditches of Fond Du Lac at 121st Ave. and Evergreen Memorial Drive (aka Commonwealth Ave.) near Perch Lake on Sunday, Aug. 16 from 10:00-1:00. If you would like to help, show up with long sleeves, long pants, and gloves. If you have sensitive skin, it would be best for you to sit this one out. If it is raining, disregard this date and time.

Invasive weed control in Fond du Lac

In the ditches of Fond du Lac, near Perch Lake, wild parsnip is flowering and going to seed. In southeastern Minnesota this weed fills every ditch and uncultivated field and I believe this is poised to do the same in our region. I think that with five or 10 willing volunteers it could be possible to prevent or delay this invasion. I have not seen this plant growing in other areas, so perhaps if this patch is dealt with we might avoid a larger problem. The highway department has been made aware of this weed and for now is not mowing the area to avoid spreading the seed farther. The highway department does not have a plan to deal with this year’s seeding plants.

This Sunday, Aug.9, at 11 a.m. I will be in the ditches of Fond du Lac near Perch Lake cutting individual plants with a pruning shear and carrying them up to the roadside to be bagged. The job is too large for me alone and I would like to ask for help. If you can help please show up at 11 a.m. wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and gloves. Some people do have skin reactions when dealing with this plant. If you have a pair of functional pruning shears please bring them. I will bring extra shears. Depending on the crew size I hope to spend no more than two or three hours with this task. I can be reached by e-mail at hanlondm @ gmail.com or by phone at 218-722-4990.

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