Phragmites Seed Heads

Pam Grassmick · Post by **Pam Grassmick** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:02 am

This last March at a Great Lakes Commission meeting, Dr. Bernard Blossey, from Cornell mentioned that his latest research indicated that the seed heads on Phragmites are more viable than previous studies demonstrated. By eliminating the seed heads, it will make the 2011 treatment more effective. If you are a property owner awaiting herbicide treatment, please cut any Phragmites seed heads that you may have on your property and bag or burn. Leave the rest of the plant standing for treatment.
We, as property owners, appreciate the work of the townships and Jacque in picking up the details of this year's treatment. Thanks extends to all those property owners who take the time to follow along and do their part on invasive species control for the benefit of our entire island.

Trish Scott · Post by **Trish Scott** » Fri Aug 12, 2011 9:19 am

Appreciate the info as will certainly clip and bag those rascally seed heads!

Rahn · Post by **Rahn** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:38 am

Pam, is this photo an accurate depiction of the seed heads?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43254442@N05/5670776050/

Pam Grassmick · Post by **Pam Grassmick** » Sat Aug 13, 2011 11:39 am

Yes, Barbara, but they can look a little "fluffier" too. The one pictured has gone to seed. The seed heads usually have a purple hue to them. We have witnessed that it takes 2-3 years for seed heads to develop on the plants. The majority of Phragmites found around our shoreline and being targeted for herbicide treatment are new growth without seed heads. Two web sites that may be helpful to view: www.beaverislandassociation.org and www.agreatlakesjewel.org

Pam Grassmick · Post by **Pam Grassmick** » Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:51 pm

Due to all the calls and questions, please find below, the most recent mapping of the 2011 Phragmites treatment area from the Charlevoix County, Peaine Township website:

http://www.charlevoixcounty.org/downloa ... ts2011.pdf

Jacque intends to place an updated hard map at the library. The dots on the map represent a total of an acre of mostly new growth along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Thanks to Brian Kelly of the County GIS office for his assistance with the maps. If you have questions, Jacque is available as the administrator. As Jacque has reported, Cardno-JF New has been awarded the treatment contract by the townships.

Pam Grassmick · Post by **Pam Grassmick** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:21 am

I have heard that a property owner with good intentions is cutting and pulling the Phragmites now. Please leave the plant standing. The rhizomes/roots can be 3 feet deep and any part of the root that is not totally removed will continue to grow. The plant should be left standing-the treatment crew will not be able to apply the herbicide to the ground or a non-standing plant. The herbicide is applied to the stalk of the plant and pulled into the rhizome system. Thank you for your assistance in passing the information along and making our Phragmites treatment year as successful as possible.