Meadow Recovery Plan
Click here to view the details of the 2009 OWA Meadow Recovery Plan as prepared by Marlin Bussey & Bruce Balas. A sketch of the meadow area can also be viewed.
Click here for Leelanau Township phragmites ordinance, May 2010
A Landowner's Guide for the Control of Phragmites
Its proper name - Phragmites - makes it sound like a crawling creature, or a disease. But phragmites, also known as common reed, is a large, coarse, perennial grass often found in wetlands.
It is invading the Omena shoreline. Although scattered clumps of phragmites provides cover for small mammals and birds, it usually forms large, dense stands that provide little value for wildlife.
Phragmites has a thick stalk that can reach 13 feet in height. It has a large plume-like flower that persists throughout the winter. Phragmites most often spreads by creeping rhizomes (roots). All stands have vertical and horizontal rhizomes, and young stands have long surface runners that help in rapid expansion of the colony. Dense stands of it can block your access to the water.
Controlling Phragmites Techniques used to control phragmites may include chemical treatment (i.e., spraying herbicides) or physical treatments such as mowing and flooding. Multiple treatments are usually necessary to effectively control a heavy stand. Controlling phragmites in wetlands by any method may require advance approval by the state.
A. Cutting and pulling:
Cutting or pulling has been used successfully to control phragmites. Treatments usually need to be repeated annually. The best time to cut phragmites is at the end of July. Cutting at other times may increase stand density. Phragmites stems should be cut below the lowest leaf, leaving a 6" or shorter stump. Hand-held cutters and gas-powered hedge trimmers work well. Weed whackers with a circular blade were found to be particularly efficient but were more dangerous to volunteers. Cut or pulled material should be removed from the site and composted or allowed to decay on the upland. Some patches may be too large to cut by hand, but repeated cutting of the perimeter of a stand can prevent vegetative expansion. Hand-pulling, though labor intensive, is an effective technique for controlling phragmites in small areas with sandy soils.
B. Black Plastic:
After cutting a stand of phragmites, anchor a sheet of black plastic over the cut area using sand bags or rocks. High temperatures under the plastic will eventually kill off the plants. This technique works best when the treated area is in direct sunlight. The following year when the plastic is removed, a few phragmites shoots may return. These can be cut or hand-pulled.
E. Herbicides:
Glyphosate is most active in late summer when phragmites is in full bloom. Repeated treatments will likely be necessary. If the plants are too tall to spray, cut back in mid summer and apply glyphosate when regrowth reaches 2 to 3 ft tall. Choose Rodeo formulation for applications in standing water or along a shoreline (a permit from the state may be required for any pesticide application to a body of water). After 2 or 3 weeks following application of glyphosate, cut or mow down the stalks to stimulate the emergence and growth of other plants previously suppressed. Reduce glyphosate to 1.5%
ROUNDUP [glyphosate (41%)]: 2.5 fl. oz./gal
RODEO [glyphosate (53.8%)]: 2 fl. oz./gal
The following additional resources are available:
1. For recommendations in controlling it in the Great lakes in Michigan Click here
2. Click here to download an excellent pamphlet, A Landowner's Guide to Phragmites Control put out by the DEQ in Michigan.
Bob DeVries has been elected to a three year term on the OWA Board while Charlotte Read has completed a six year term on the Board, the last three years as secretary. She has been a strong contributor to the success of the organization and will be greatly missed.
Go to http://www.emeraldashborer.info/ for more information.