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Re: Non-Chemical Lantana Eradication



Amba <leesky@nectar.com.au> writes:

>I really don't want to use chemicals but have had some trouble finding
>information on alternative methods for this plant. Does anyone have any
>experience with Lantana removal - physically digging it out or any other
>method (can't think of one myself but then that's why I writing this I
>guess!!). Any experience, advice, stories or information would be very
>welcome.

I've been playing this game on and off for the best part of 40 years on
my parents property (was a farm - mainly bananas) at Buderim on the
Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
We've never used chemicals, so I don't know how effective they'd be, but
barring that - or getting in a bulldozer - which may well be the best
solution, all solutions seem to involve lots of hard work and persistence.
A few comments on our experience:
  1. A good heavy brush hook is the most essential tool - for getting at it.
It cuts fairly well - unless its dead. Cut at an angle (say 45 degrees) to
the stem and angled towards the root. I find I can cut stems up to about
2in (5cm) diameter with a brush hook.  For anything larger than that,
a bow saw is necessary. (I've never found an axe effective in lantana - it
bounces too much.)
  2. If its small enough to pull out, that's the best approach.  You might
be surprised how much you can get this way. The runners that it typically
uses to spread into new areas can almost always be pulled.
For more major roots, brush the stem(s) off about 70cm from the root and try
pulling it in different directions. If the roots are mainly in one direction
it will pull more easily in that direction. (Perversely - on slopes this
usually seems to mean pulling it uphill.)
   What can be pulled depends markedly on the soil. If the roots get around
solid rock, it is next to impossible for any significant size.  On some soils
at least, it is easier to pull after rain.
  3. If its too large to pull, we generally use a grubber (mattock). A hoe is
too light to be effective.
  4. When you do get it out, don't leave it on the ground - it will just root
again.  I usually try to hang it in a tree. - Not beautiful, of course, but
once its really dead, it can go back on the ground.
  5. For accessing really thick lantana, we've sometimes found it effective
to use a couple of planks (large as you can conveniently manage - say about 3m
of 5x2(in)). Throw one on top and walk on it to break the lantana down (using
the brush hook too) and throw the other plank in front of you and move onto
it.
  6. If you're patient, you can get some help from other plants. Of course, a
good tree cover will keep it to reasonable proportions.  We also encouraged
a legume (promoted for improved pastures - we had a few cows too) to grow
over the lantana. I think it may have been siratro and seemed to be moderately
effective - particularly in conjunction with techniques like 5.  However,
this particular one is not a local to this area - and has developed into
something of a nuisance itself - some adjacent areas are becoming suburban -
and I have heard it referred to as "Johnston's curse" in recognition of my
fathers role in introducing it there.
  7. For thick lantana, we have tried running a wire rope through under it,
tying both ends to a vehicle, and then pull it with the vehicle. We used an
old ex WW2 jeep for this game, but something heavier would probably be more
effective.  This was effective but like all the other techniques, pretty
slow.  You need to stand well clear of the wire of course - breaks could
be very dangerous.

  Although we've never resorted to it, I suspect that getting a bulldozer
or similar, may be the best solution for thick lantata, if it is accessible
enough and there is not too much vegetation among it that you wish to
preserve.
  Be careful when working with lantana. 
You need to be careful not to get it in the eye, as scatches there could be
nasty. It is quite brittle when dead and even worse to work on then.

  Lantana does have the virtue of being a great haven for wildlife,
particularly reptiles and small birds.

  Best of luck
      dan.                         dan@cs.uq.oz.au


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