BRATTLEBORO — The Recreation & Parks Department says they are working with a local forester from Long View Forest Woodland Services to control invasive plant and vegetation (Japanese Knotweed and other native invasive plants) adjacent to the Creamery Bridge.
Since Tropical Storm Irene, Japanese Knotweed has become a strong presence on the banks along Whetstone Brook. This and other native vegetation is encroaching structures along the banks, negatively impacting building health, aesthetics, and, in the case of the knotweed, the area's ecology.
According to a news release, Long View Forest Woodland Services will spray the knotweed this month with an herbicide called Rodeo. After two weeks (to allow the herbicide to work), another contractor will be brought in to mow the area. Long View will return after that to hand-cut remaining vegetation in the area.
Rodeo is a wetlands-approved herbicide product with the active ingredient glyphosate (54%). The forester uses Rodeo in a low solution to control knotweed.
Glyphosate is a systemic herbicide that, when applied properly, kills actively growing plants. A surfactant - a chemical with properties similar to dish detergent - added to the herbicide mixture helps break through the waxy leaf cuticle, allowing absorption through leaves.
A non-ionic surfactant is used in wetlands-approved products because it doesn't bond to mucous membranes of amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.