On Tuesday and Wednesday last week four new volunteer officers joined the regular team to tackle the infestation of Heracleum mantegazzianum aka Giant Hogweed. We were kitted out in visors and protective gloves due to its toxic sap. If it comes in contact with your skin and is subsequently exposed to light it forms blisters that can last several years. It gets into the DNA of skin cells and that’s why it can reoccur.
Some areas had been sprayed but this week we were trialling a mechanical technique to compare effectiveness. This involved severing the tap root a few inches underground. The most difficult part was avoiding breaking the stems in plants that were several feet high. In the wooded area this was easier, but down the banks of a stream it was awkward as they were dense and prone to falling on top of you if you were tackling one in a difficult postion.
On the second day it was much easier as we had mastered a technique. I was methodical but slower than Fraser and Ryan who were like machines. There is still at least a couple more days working on this near Milton.