Willows and blackberries are significant weeds in riparian zones of the Upper Murray region. Unmanaged, they can quickly establish and spread, eventually dominating the riparian area of rivers and creeks.

Their impacts include: increases in erosion, provision of habitat and food sources for pest animals, a loss of aesthetics, suppression of native vegetation regeneration and a loss of access to the riparian zone and waterways for humans and native animals.

Murray Local Land Services (Murray LLS) have been undertaking works to remove and limit the spread of weeds along sections of the Tumbarumba and Mannus Creeks. This has included:

willow crown removal and stump poisoning,
spot spraying of blackberries within willow control sections, and
revegetation with native plant species.

To date willows and blackberries have been removed from 1.4 and 3.1 km sections of the Tumbarumba and Mannus Creeks respectively.

The treated sections must be continuously managed to prevent reinvasion of weeds and to give the newly established native plants the best chance of survival.

: Willow blocking Tumbarumba Creek and causing stream bed widening. Photo: Steve Thompson, Murray LLS.

: Large Willow control in situ using concentrated chemical painted into saw cuts. Photo: Steve Thompson, Murray LLS.

: Ideal stable creek scape along Tumbarumba Creek. Photo: Steve Thompson, Murray LLS.

In 2015/16, a new poisoning technique will be trialed in a section of the Tumbarumba Creek. The trial involves poisoning approximately 50% of the standing biomass of willows (i.e. every second tree) and the establishment of native vegetation under the trees when they have died.

The remaining willows will be poisoned once the native vegetation has re-established under the dead trees.

The trial is in response to the high cost of crown removal and to concerns about the risk of mobilizing large masses of debris during flooding if all the willows were poisoned at the same time.

Additional information can be found by contacting the Project Officer (see contact information below) or visiting the Murray LLS website.

This project is funded by the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme

For more information, please contact:

Julia McCourt
Land Services Officer
0260512213
Julia.mccourt@lls.nsw.gov.au

Willow and blackberry control in the Tumbarumba and Mannus Creek catchments

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