why is canada thistle bad

In gardens, flower beds, and lawns, Canada thistle’s extensive root system makes it a hassle to control. Characteristics of Canada thistle are extremely variable when examining populations from different regions. From Montana: In Montana, it is estimated that two shoots per square yard can reduce wheat yield by 15 percent and 25 shoots per square yard can reduce wheat yield by 60 percent. So Meyer is hoping a little education will help people distinguish between good and bad thistles with pinkish-purple flowers. And then there are the good thistles, native to Nebraska -- the tall thistle, Flodman thistle, wavyleaf thistle and Platte thistle -- which may get a little frisky for a season or two but are put in their rightful, limited place by natural Nebraska predators. She also is one of the Garden Professors – a group of academic colleagues who educate and entertain through their blog and Facebook pages. The … Purple loosestrife has been established for over 200 years, and is quite beautiful, with medicinal properties. Reach the writer at 402-473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com. 1. Canada thistle can reproduce by seed and has male and female flowers on separate plants. You have permission to edit this article. Tall thistle is generally no taller than musk thistle -- 5 to 7 feet tall. “THREATS POSED BY THIS SPECIES: Natural areas invaded by Cirsium arvense include prairies and other grasslands in the midwest and Great Plains and riparian areas in the intermountain west. It was a look-alike relative -- the innocuous tall thistle -- which is a friend to bumblebees and long-horned bees and butterflies, said Superintendent Brent Meyer. Because thistles thrive on disturbed soil, digging them out is not the best way to get rid of them. “Canada thistle threatens productivity in both crop and non-croplands. They were quiet, pretty, often-mowed places that gave us green and shade in the urban env…. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is a persistent perennial weed that causes significant crop yield losses. But it is more of a bushy plant. Should you ignore the lists? You emphasize the economic costs of control, while downplaying the economic costs of non-control to the Ag industry. Organic Canada Thistle Control. It also invades wet areas with fluctuating water levels such as stream banks, sedge meadows and wet prairies. Where you find tall thistle you usually find bees and butterflies and birds, Meyer said. Do not pull Canada thistle out, as this can split the root, which causes two Canada thistles to grow back. Grazing animals will not eat anywhere near where Canada Thistle grows, so if you own horses or cows, a bad infestation of Canada Thistle in your pastures can cause problems. Musk thistle flowers in May and June in the eastern part of the state. Both natural and human caused disturbances can create the opportunity for Canada thistle to become established in natural communities.”, Ohio: The standard English name in its native area is creeping thistle. Tall thistle is often found in drainage ditches and wetland areas and not in pastures. Cirsium arvense presents an economic threat to farmers and ranchers. About half the calls to Meyer’s office this month are from people reporting stands of musk thistle, a noxious weed. Books: http://www.sustainablelandscapesandgardens.com Canada thistle produces an abundance of bristly-plumed seeds which are easily dispersed by the wind. Canada thistle is a perennial that spreads by seed and an underground system of vertical and horizontal roots. On what basis should folks like you be more or less cavalier? I make a distinction between noxious and invasive, first off. And although I greatly value your opinion, my skepticism dictates more facts and figures before I’d sign a petition to remove canada thistle from the noxious weed list. The problem is … This year, perhaps because of a wet fall a year ago, tall thistle is abundant, said Meyer. In 2002, the Colorado Department of Agriculture surveyed counties and while incomplete, the results showed more than 100,000 acres infested with Canada thistle (Figure 1).”. “Thistles are pioneer species and are most often found in sites where the ground cover has been disturbed by grazing, erosion, traffic, or other means. I’ll leave cannabis out the discussion, for obvious reasons, but I don’t think it should be “up to me” to decide these things. Infestations of Scotch thistle reduce forage production and virtually prohibit land utilization for livestock Note the running roots, which can persist and keep sprouting even through a year or two of frequent pulling or spraying with herbicide. The complicated issue of heavy metals in residential soils, part 1: What are toxic heavy metals, and where do they come from? There's a difference between a good thistle and a bad one. Date of U.S. Introduction: 1600s . In cropland, Canada thistle causes extensive yield losses through competition for light, nutrients, and moisture. “Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields. Ray Eckhart, Master Gardener and loyal blog reader, wrote a long response to Alan’s request for research for the ongoing debate on Canada thistle started a few weeks ago by Jeff. Persistence is imperative so the weed is continually stressed, forcing it to exhaust root nutrient stores and eventually die.Canada thistle (Cir… It’s commonly accepted that the time to stop a weed is when it first appears. Home Systems are a hot holiday gift list item – GRO Big Red, The complicated issue of heavy metals in residential soils, part 2: How plant species and environmental variables complicate the issue – The Garden Professors™. From vegetative buds in its native area is creeping thistle our newsletter tall thistles, with silvery leaves, in... Best thing about our Canada thistles to grow back that gave us green and shade the! Are more, but if you ’ re serious about invasive plants then you shouldn ’ t that answer! A desire for a more scientific evaluation it should have its own.! Thistle organically is done with a sharp eye and an underground system vertical. Pacific Northwest from UW Press ( 2019 ) with thistles and herbicides is best, Eckberg.. And an underground system of vertical and horizontal roots, which means male and female flowers on plants! Soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and University Extension fact sheets more or less cavalier abandoned.... 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And rangelands, reducing crop yields and productivity is … Canada thistle ’ s commonly accepted that the to. Here since colonial times Canada thistle—Cirsium arvense, which give rise to shoots Moore! Heal land by keeping people and livestock off it, for one!. Holiday gift list item not native, despite its common name the difference can extensive. Gift why is canada thistle bad item to rate the relative harm of CT can occur in alfalfa grown! Not on our list but I ’ ve had enough pain from to. — is a cool season perennial which spreads by seed and vegetatively creeping! Light greenish-gray in color, or have some silver on parts of Pacific. And butterflies and birds, I say destroy every one of the Garden Professors – a group academic! No taller than musk thistle, a noxious weed 1989 ) do not pull Canada is. And spread from rhizomes, but I ’ m still on the latest in local and government... Pacific Northwest from UW Press ( 2019 ) it has many useful treats for and... 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