Cogongrass Detection & Eradication in Georgia

James Johnson, Forest HealthAthens, GA

Office (706) 542-9608jjohnson@gfc.state.ga.us

GFC Foresters Top 5 – Invasive Plants

1. Cogongrass

2. Chinese Privet

3. Autumn Olive

4. Chinese Tallowtree

5. Multiflora Rose

http://www.gatrees.org/

Cogongrass becomes the top priority invasive plant for our agency…

Chip Bates, GFC

Mark McClure, GFC

Search and Destroy

In the Beginning…• Cogongrass Task Force formed to organize efforts - 2004

– Georgia Forestry Commission– University of Georgia– USDA APHIS-PPQ– USDA Forest Service– GA Department of Natural Resources– GA Department of Agriculture– GA Department of Transportation– GA Exotic Pest Plant Council– Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center– Tall Timbers Research Station– The Nature Conservancy

– Greg Findley, GFC District Forester, Chair

Aerial Surveying for Cogongrass isn’t practical…

Summary of Georgia

Cogongrass Sites:

•76 Locations

•18 Counties

•150 acres total

•All sites are being treated!

Cogongrass Eradication Efforts

Treatments Sites by:• Georgia Forestry Commission 18• USDA APHIS - PPQ 32• Landowner 12• Contractor/Consultant 14

76

“Agreement for Cogongrass Eradication” contract finalized to allow GFC to begin site treatments

Spots range in size from ¼ - 11+ acresAverage size is 1/3 acreMost infestations originated from root material and are clonal

– little if any viable seed is being produced

What’s lurking beneath the surface???

How did it get in Georgia?• Tree Planters (machine)• Logging equipment• Contaminated fill dirt• Contaminated mulch• Hunters (food plots)• Mowing or construction equipment?• Nurseries growing cultivars• Utility (powerline) contractor• Homeowner (dug fruit trees with soil and root ball)

Cogongrass Eradication Efforts

Cogongrass Eradication Efforts

Detecting small problems can prevent larger ones…

Cogongrass Education Outreach• Publications – UGA Bugwood

• Memorandum of Understanding to establish Georgia as a Cooperative Weed Management area for cogongrass nearing final version.

AL, FL, and SC also????

• GFC personnel have conducted over 100 presentations that mention cogongrass – 7,000+ attendees

• UGA has made many presentations also…

Presentations made to: – “Traditional” Groups:

• Professional foresters & other resource managers• Timber Companies• UGA County Extension Agents• GFC Firefighting personnel• Logger Workshops & Landowner groups

– “Non-Traditional” Groups:• GA Power & local EMC power companies• GA Dept of Transportation (Right of Way section)• GA Public Works Association and County PW Dept’s.• Environmental Groups• Legislative Tour (August 2006)• Hunters and Outdoor enthusiasts

– Buckarama

– Fisharama

Publications:

• University of Georgia – Bugwood Group– Professor Dave Moorhead, Chuck Bargeron &

Chris Evans– Displays– Technical bulletins– Magazine articles

Small brochure with basic information

Publications

Georgia Forestry Commission• Hunting peridical articles

– Georgia Outdoor News– Georgia Wildlife Federation– National Wild Turkey

Federation

• Georgia Hunting Rules & Regulations Book – circulation 550,000

Plum Creek Training Session

Most unlikely place to find Cogongrass?

Philip Bailey, USDA – APHIS PPQ

Flower Bed in Metro Atlanta…(contaminated pine straw?)

Legislature Tour – August, 2006

USDA Forest Service Support…

An ounce of prevention is worth…

For Additional Support:• Contact either Dr. Moorhead in Tifton (229) 386-3298

• or the Georgia Forestry Commission Forest Health Staff:– James Johnson Athens (706) 542-9608– Mark McClure SW Georgia (229) 759-

3011– Chip Bates SE Georgia (912) 681-0490– Mark Raines Central GA (706) 437-6896– Scott Griffin North GA (770) 538-2666