Garlic Mustard: Wanted Dead

Gogebic Conservation District protects Northwoods from nuisance weed.

Pictured Above:  Jay Hodkiewicz of Asplundh Tree Expert Company spraying an infestation of garlic mustard near Southwest Street in Ironwood.

IRONWOOD, MI - by Mary Powell - Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - The Gogebic Conservation District is stepping up the fight against garlic mustard, a non-native invasive plant that threatens Northwood forests.

Gogebic Conservation District Administrator Mary Powell describes the rapid spread of garlic mustard, "Garlic mustard was first discovered in Gogebic County in 2002. The last couple of years, however, we've seen many new infestations become established. There are now twenty-three known sites in the County."

Garlic mustard is a European herb, one to four feet high. One plant makes numerous small flowers, each with four white petals. The leaves are spade-shaped with toothed margins, and smell like garlic when you crush them in your fingers. The fruits ripen in June and one plant can make up to 3,000 seeds.

US Forest Service botanist Ian Shackleford describes the threat posed by garlic mustard, "The problem with garlic mustard is that is over-runs our Northwood forests. Once garlic mustard gets established, you lose all the native spring wildflowers, including trilliums, violets, spring-beauty, hepatica, bloodroot, and Dutchman’s breeches. Infestations can get so thick that even tree seedlings don't survive."

This year, the Conservation District has partnered with the US Forest Service to take the lead in fighting garlic mustard on private land in Gogebic County. Mary Powell describes the plan for spring 2010, "Right now we are planning to treat six infestations. Small sites will be hand-pulled by Conservation District volunteers. Large infestations will be sprayed by a professional pesticide applicator."

Herbicide application began on Wednesday, May 5. Jay Hodkiewicz from Asplundh Tree Expert Co. sprayed one infestation in Bessemer and three in Ironwood. His contract with the Conservation District will continue into June.

The Conservation District encourages anyone who spots garlic mustard to give them a call. "We will work with property owners to help them get rid of garlic mustard. If a property owner is unable to pull or spray their infestation, but would like to see it removed, we can help."

"We are also seeking volunteers interested in helping protect our environment by spending a couple hours hand-pulling infestations in the County. The best chance of success against garlic mustard is early detection and rapid response. It's not too late to save our beautiful spring wildflowers."

Ian Shackleford from the Forest Service is also appealing for help in the fight with garlic mustard, “People can help by recognizing garlic mustard and removing it from their property and landscaping. One garlic mustard plant produces hundreds of tiny seeds that are easily moved in soil on our shoes, vehicles, and pets. If garlic mustard gets established in our local communities, then we will all inadvertently spread it into the forest all around us.”

Free color flyers with information about garlic mustard are available from the US Forest Service, Gogebic Conservation District, Gogebic County Extension, Iron County Extension, and the Iron County Conservation District.

For more information, or to report an infestation, contact Mary Powell at 906-663-4512.

Mary Powell,
GCD Administrator
Gogebic Conservation District
Natural Resources Center
500 North Moore Street
Bessemer, MI 49911

Pictured Above: Garlic mustard flowers and leaves