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Forest Service Does Battle With Invasive Cogongrass
November 29, 2015
Listed as one of the world’s worst weeds, cogongrass is throughout Escambia County and the Gulf Coast. County, state and private landowners are attempting to stop its spread. Information and programs are available to those who are willing to join in the fight.
Cogongrass is not the only invasive plant in our area, but it is arguably one of the worst. For instance, cogongrass can easily choke out native plants and grasses and prevent the establishment of trees. It also changes fire behavior making prescribed burning more difficult and wildfires burn much hotter. It reduces habitat for native wildlife and is not normally used as a food source by wildlife or livestock.
Many private landowners are treating cogongrass using herbicides, disking and planting other vegetation. Some of these landowners have received treatment recommendations from a Florida Forest Service’s County Forester or other professional. Additionally, approximately 130 acres of cogongrass on private land was treated through state or federal cost sharing programs. Escambia County’s Division of Natural Resource Conservation recently received a grant to begin treating county rights of way. Florida Department of Transportation treats cogongrass on state rights of way.
Because of its aggressive, invasive nature, it is illegal to sell, transport or plant cogongrass. It is spread by seed or rhizomes and readily invades disturbed sites, such as construction sites, timber harvests, crop fields or road edges. In addition to natural means of dispersal, seeds and rhizomes are often unwittingly spread by equipment working in or driving through cogongrass.
Help prevent the spread of cogongrass by cleaning equipment before moving it to another location if it has been used in an infested area. Do not use cogongrass in landscaping and be careful about the source of fill dirt and mulch. Plant disturbed areas in native vegetation as soon as possible. More information about cogongrass can be found at http://bit.ly/1GLFXy4 .
If you have cogongrass and need help fighting, the Florida Forest Service is taking applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost Share program. For more information on that program, call the Escambia County Forester at (850) 587-5237.
Cathy Hardin works for the Florida Forest Service as the Escambia County Forester. She has 11 years of experience with the state and a degree in Forest Resource Conservation from the University of Florida. This article is part of a quarterly series highlighting forestry practices and programs focused on our area.
Comments
2 Responses to “Forest Service Does Battle With Invasive Cogongrass”
Jen – Well that’s quite simply not true. I work on that seismic project and my job is to ensure areas with invasive species, including cogongrass, are avoided. Perhaps the person you spoke with was unfamiliar with it, but the state of Florida is aware and is actively taking steps to limit the spread of invasive species.
Out of state seismic testing is going on around our area and wanting to.lease land to drive through, drill holes with tractors, I ask how they were going to mitigate the spread of cogon .Their response was never heard of it, and could care less. One example of how it is spread.Landowners should educate themselves and be responsible.