Cogongrass Detection & Eradication in Georgia
James Johnson, Forest HealthAthens, GA
Office (706) [email protected]
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