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Would you like to learn more about invasive
plants, and Japanese stiltgrass in particular?
Attend a free workshop at Crummies Creek
Demonstration Forest near Arnoldsburg, WV and
become familiar with one of the most widespread
invasive plants in West Virginia. This exotic
grass is a growing concern for those who care
about West Virginia's forests.
Japanese stiltgrass is a destructive invasive
plant that has been in the US since 1919, when it
became established in Tennessee.
Stiltgrass has no
food value and is not eaten by deer, goats, sheep,
cattle or horses. When it dies, it produces an
extremely flammable thatch that is very slow to
rot, crowds out important forest plants like
American ginseng, and prevents natural forest
regeneration.
In the summer of 2009, a fungal disease that
infects and weakens stiltgrass was found at
Crummies Creek Demonstration Forest.
Before this,
no disease of any kind had been encountered in
stiltgrass. We will view stiltgrass that is
infected with the Bipolaris fungus. We'll discuss
what has been learned about the fungal disease up
to this point, as well as its potential as a
bio-control for Japanese stiltgrass.
The program
will take place in an area where the Bipolaris
fungus is rampant, and we will see how the fungus
is helping to control stiltgrass.
We will look at a woodland where carefully planned
mechanical treatment of stiltgrass (using a brush
hog or weed whacker) has been employed for nearly
ten years.
Russ Richardson, a consulting forester,
will discuss a "stiltgrass attack plan" for
woodland owners to apply on their own properties.
At the end of the day there will be a discussion
of wildlife pollinators and inexpensive methods of
habitat improvement. We'll visit a five-acre
meadow that is being maintained for pollinators.
For over ten years efforts to contain and control
the spread of Japanese stiltgrass has been an
ongoing forest management emphasis at Crummies Creek.
The tour will take place on Saturday, June 25 from
10 a.m. until 2 p.m. A light lunch will be provided.
To register for the tour or for more information,
contact Ellen Voss at 304-293-5741 or email her at
evoss@mix.wvu.edu
The Forest Stewardship Program offers private
woodland owners technical and financial assistance
to maintain and enhance the value of their
forested land. The WV Division of Forestry manages
the program, with assistance from WVU Extension
Service and WVU Division of Forestry & Natural
Resources.
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