RTS Maintenance Facility

Transcription

1 RTS Maintenance Facility E X O T I C I N V A S I V E P L A N T M A N A G E M E N T P L A N Prepared for: Mr. Rory Causseaux, P.E. Causseaux, Hewett, & Walpole, Inc NW 1 st Place Gainesville, FL June 8, 2012

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Goals and Objectives.3 Site Conditions.3 Vicinity Map 4 Target Species, Location and Densities.5 METHODOLOGY General.5 Staffing Requirements..6 Identification and Control of Target Species 7 MONITORING SCHEDULE & SUCCESS CRITERIA.16 REFERENCE MATERIAL NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 2

3 INTRODUCTION: Buford Davis and Associates received a contract from Rory Causseaux, PE of Causseaux, Hewett, and Walpole, to provide an Exotic Invasive Plant Management Plan (EIPMP) for the control and eradication of several target species located on the proposed Regional Transit System (RTS) Maintenance Facility Site located off SE Veitch Street and 13 Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. Control of exotic invasive species in wetland areas is required by the City of Gainesville Land Development Code Section Goals and Objectives: The three primary goals and objectives of this EIPMP are: (1) to establish site conditions with regards to exotic invasive plant species, (2) to provide guidance for the control and eradication of target species found on site, while limiting impact and degradation of local site resources such as soils, watershed and existing desirable vegetation, and (3) to establish a protocol for continued management against future infestations of these and other exotic invasive plant species. Site Conditions: On April 17, 2012, and again on April 25, 2012, pedestrian surveys were conducted for the RTS Maintenance Facility. The site is approximately 30 acres, irregular in shape, located at the end of SE 13 th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida. The southern end of the property was once the site of the City landfill. Utility easements, both water, and power crisscross the site. The confluence of an unnamed tributary of Sweetwater Branch (creek) joins at the southeast edge of the property. Adjacent developed properties north and west are industrial. The City s sewage treatment facility is south of the site. Properties to the east are zoned residential, and a significant portion of the locally known homeless encampment, Tent City comprises the southeast corner. Proposed improvements consist of an administrative and operations building, a 64,000 square foot bus maintenance garage, bus fueling and washing stations, associated parking and storm water facility. Vegetative open space buffers make up over 20% of the site and run along both sides of the Creeks, and include the southeast corner of the property which appears to be wetland. It is within this buffer area that we have focused our EIPMP strategy. The site appears to have a history of disturbance. The creek is extremely eroded feet below the surrounding watershed. In some areas gabion baskets line the banks to prevent further erosion. Several species listed in the Management Plan were likely planted or have served the purpose of erosion control, and once removed, the site will require additional erosion control measures. Additionally, numerous people and their pets live in tents in the proposed buffer areas of the site. Wellworn pedestrian trails and well maintained utility easements make traversing the property relatively easy, despite heaps of household garbage and homeless encampments NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 3

4 The site can be roughly divided into 3 vegetative ecotypes; one where the upper shade canopy has been maintained, one where the shade trees have been removed, the third being riparian and associated with the creek. In shady areas the upper canopy consists predominantly of Live Oak, and Laurel Oak. The understory vegetation includes Camphor tree, and Ligustrum, as well as more desirable species such as Cabbage palm, and Sweetgum. The ground plain in the least disturbed areas include saw palmetto, in the more disturbed areas includes Ardisia, Honeysuckle, and Poke Weed. In areas where the shade canopy has been removed, colonies of Guinea grass, Paper Mulberry and Rattlepod, have taken over. In Riparian areas, ancient Cypress, Hickory, and Oak entwine with the second generation Camphor and Cherry Laurel, Sweetgum. The ground plain in some areas has been completely dominated by exotic invasive, such as Mexican Petunia Coral Ardisia, and Air potato NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 4

5 Target Species, Location and Densities; The following list of nineteen (19) exotic invasive species were found on site. Densities and locations in the matrix below are approximations and for many species will vary from year to year and season to season. Botanical Name Common Name Classification Location Density Albizia julibrissin Mimosa FLEEPC 1 South side of site <20 individuals <15% of site vegetation, > 75% Ardisia crenata Coral berry FLEEPC 1 Throughout site localized in SE Riparian area Begonia cucullata Wax begonia FLEEPC 2 Bottom of creek Incidental Broussonetia papyrifera Paper mulberry FLEEPC 2 Throughout site <10% of site vegetation, > 75% localized in edges of sunny areas Throughout site, large Cinnamomum camphora Camphor tree FLEEPC 1 individuals in riparian zone < 10% of site vegetation Clematis terniflora Virginbower FLEEPC 2 Throughout site < 5% of site vegetation Colcocasia esculenta Wild Taro FLEEPC 1 Bottom of creeks < 50 plants <20% of site vegetation, > 75% Dioscorea bulbifera Air potato Throughout shady areas localized SE Riparian areas Hedera helix English ivy Ala. County Southwest corner Localized < 50% vegetative cover Mile a minute Impomoea cairica vine Ala. County Eroded area along creek Localized < 50% vegetative cover Koelreuteria elagans Goldenrain tree FLEEPC 2 SW corner Incidental Lantana camara Lantana FLEEPC 1 Edges of power lines and fence rows < 20 individuals Throughout site, large Ligustrum lucidum Glossy privet FLEEPC 1 individuals in riparian zone < 5% of site vegetation Lonicera Japonica Honeysuckel FLEEPC 1 Creek bank < 30% coverage localized Eroded area along creek, Merremia dissecta Woodrose Ala. County and fence rows Localized < 50% vegetative cover Panicum maxicum Guinea grass FLEEPC 2 Throughout sunny areas < 10% coverage localized Ruellia tweediana Mexican petunia FLEEPC 1 Throughout riparian zone < 30% coverage localized Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow FDACA Throughout site Incidental Sesbania punicea Rattlepod FLEEPC 2 Along creek sunny areas Localized < 50% vegetative cover Tradescabtia fluminensis Day flower FLEEPC 1 Eastern riparian zone Localized < 50% vegetative cover FLEPPC 1- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Counsel category 1 FLEPPC 2 - Florida Exotic Pest Plant Counsel category 2 FDACA Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Noxious Weed List USDA US Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed List Ala. County Alachua County Discouraged Plant List FLEPPC 1- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Counsel category 1 FLEPPC 2 - Florida Exotic Pest Plant Counsel category 2 FDACA Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Noxious Weed List USDA US Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed List Ala. County Alachua County Discouraged Plant List METHODOLOGY General: The best defense against exotic invasive pest plant infestation is vigilant surveillance of the site and surroundings, and addressing problem plants prior to their spread. The recommended method of control for these nuisance species is based on the species, size, density, season, and surroundings NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 5

6 In buffer areas and in undisturbed area adjacent to desirable vegetation, manual removal of invasive species is preferred. When manually removing invasive pest plants, it is important that the entire plant be removed including the root system. This is most easily done when the soil moisture content is high to help prevent root breakage and re-sprouting. At this site, many nuisance species will be removed mechanically during site development. Killing invasive pest plants prior to seed or fruit maturity will help prevent the formation of viable seed and subsequent redistribution. If viable seed is present during site demolition, or pest plant treatments, this material must be collected and burned in a managed burn pile or bagged and disposed in a landfill. Exotic invasive plant propagules such as roots, tubers, corms or rhizomes, bulbils, ripe seed, fruit, or certain herbaceous segmented stems shall NOT be considered yard waste or compost. At this site several targeted species will require chemical herbicide treatment to control. Herbicide application techniques which will result in minimal impact to adjacent resources include the following: Foliar Applications: Use a low-pressure spray backpack or hand sprayer with a large droplet size to minimize spray drift. A marker dye should be added to the solution to track work. Apply herbicide to leaves until the point of runoff. Unless otherwise noted, the most successful time of the year to control targeted deciduous species with a foliar spray is late summer through early fall, several weeks prior to first frost. Evergreen weedy species can be controlled in early spring or late fall while many deciduous plants are still dormant. Basal Bark Application: Apply herbicide directly to young bark at the base of the stem until the point of runoff. Use a low-pressure backpack sprayer or hand sprayer with a large droplet size to minimize spray drift. A marker dye should be added to the solution to track work. This treatment can be successfully applied during the dormant season when leaves do not hinder application. All basal bark applications are in an oil-soluble formulation and should not be sprayed when temperatures are above 80 degrees due to volatilized drift of herbicide. At this site, basal bark treatment of exotic invasive trees over 3 in diameter is not recommended. Trees 3 in diameter and over shall be not be left standing due to the presence of homeless encampments. Stump Cut Treatment: Immediate treatment of felled tree & vines stumps with a concentrated formulation of herbicide. The cut stump must be level and herbicide may be painted or sprayed on to the surface of the cut. The most successful time of the year for the stump cut treatment is summer, although winter applications can be applied more efficiently without the interference of foliage. Do not attempt stump cut treatment method in the spring when new growth is appearing and sap is rising. After initial treatment cycles, monitoring of site shall begin and continue for 2 years or until the targeted species are successfully controlled. Monitoring should consist of a thorough pedestrian survey of the site, and the scheduling and/or implementation of appropriate control measures. Monitoring guidelines and success criteria are discussed in later paragraphs. Staffing Requirements: Staff supervisor shall hold a State Certified Commercial Pesticides Applicator License in Natural Areas Weed Management pursuant to Chapter 487 Florida Statues. He or she should be familiar with all chemical applications and treatment methods specified and on site during all handling of herbicides. Furthermore, all chemical treatment of targeted species must be in accordance with the manufacturer s labeling instructions. Pesticide users are required 2406 NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 6

7 by law to comply with all instruction and directions for use contained in the pesticide label, including mixing, loading, personnel protection equipment and cleanup. Additionally, all on site personnel implementing this EIPMP should be able to identify the exotic invasive species targeted, as well as be able to distinguish between targeted species and similar looking native species. Finally, annual Monitoring Reports shall be prepared by personnel experienced in the field of Natural Areas Weed Management, Botany, Biology, Landscape Architecture or a similar profession. Identification and Control of Target Species: Albizia julibrissin Mimosa, Silk Tree Small deciduous tree tall with smooth bark. Leaves feathery, bipinnately compound 6-20 long. Flowers May to July, silky pink terminal pompoms. Seeds leguminous pods 3-7 long with 5-10 oval seeds. Pods start out light green turning brown in the fall. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all trees and saplings from developed areas of site and dispose in landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, hand pull seedlings and saplings and allow up rooted plants to dry out and decompose in the sun. Chemical treatment: In mid-winter or early summer prior to fruit ripening, trees can be cut-stump treated with 50% triclopyr amine. For saplings, apply 15-20% triclopyr ester in basal oil to young bark as a basal bark treatment. Treat seedlings by thoroughly wetting leaves with a 2% solution of triclopyr amine and a surfactant between the months of July and October. Ardisia crenata Coral Berry Evergreen shrub, growing in multi-stemmed clumps up to 6 tall, but generally 2-3 tall. Leaves alternate, up to 6 long, glabrous dark green above, with scalloped margins. Flowers white drooping below foliage in clusters. Bright red fruit retained on plant throughout the year. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all shrubs from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, hand pull shrubs and seedlings. Up rooted plants shall be allowed to dry and decompose in the sun. Ripe fruit shall be collected and dispose in a landfill NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 7

8 Chemical treatment: In early spring or late fall while many native plants are still dormant, thoroughly wet leaves with a foliar application of 3-5% triclopyr ester, or basal bark application of 10-15% triclopyr ester. Begonia Cucullata Wax Begonia An attractive perennial herb growing in to a mound. Leaves are succulent and waxy; heart shaped with scalloped edges, and can be dark bronze to emerald green in color. Succulent stems are jointed and pinkish. Plant can regenerate from leaves or stems. Flowers are small white to pink and blooming throughout growing season, producing vast quantities of tiny seeds. Mechanical Treatment: Not applicable Manual treatment: Pull plants by hand and bag on site taking care to minimize seed dispersal and the re-rooting of leaf or stem segments Chemical treatment: Not necessary at this site, but a 1-2% glysophate foliar application is usually effective in killing plant. Brousonettia Papyrifera Paper Mulberry Deciduous tree, 40 with a round crown. This plant sprouts from roots and forms dense thickets. Leaf shape varies on the same tree sometimes oval to heart shaped, sometimes developing irregular lobes or mitten shapes. Leaf margins are serrated and the upper surface is rough. Trees are diociaous with male and female flowers on separate trees in spring. Female plants form ball shaped cluster of flowers that ripen in to a reddish globose cluster of fruit. Male flowers are catkins. Mechanical treatments: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all trees and saplings from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. In buffer area at this site many saplings and seedlings may be mowed. Repeated mowing will be necessary to control. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, hand pull saplings and seedlings. Up rooted plants shall be allowed to dry and decompose in the sun. Chemical Treatment: Saplings may be treated with a basal bark application of 15-20% triclopyr ester in horticultural oil. Large trees shall be cut-stump treated with 50% triclopyr amine, in winter before sap rises or in summer prior to fruit ripening NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 8

9 Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Tree Evergreen tree, 65 tall with equal spread. Leaves simple, alternate, and glabrous with slightly wavy margins. When crushed leaves smell strongly of camphor. Flowers small greenish white in loose panicles. Fruit small black drupes produced in late winter and spring. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all trees and saplings from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, hand pull seedlings and saplings. Uprooted seedlings and saplings shall be allowed to dry and decompose in the sun. Chemical treatment: In mid-winter, prior to fruit ripening or early summer after sap rising, large trees shall be cut-stumped treated with 50% triclopyr ester. Saplings under 3 in diameter may be treated with a basal bark application of 30% triclopyr ester in horticultural oil. Ripe fruit shall be collected and dispose in a certified landfill. At this site it is not recommended that Camphor trees larger than 3 be left standing dead. Clematis terniflora Sweet Autum Virginbower Semi-woody, semi-evergreen vine up to 30 long. Glossy compound leaves with leaflets. Fragrant, 1 star-shaped flowers in dense panicles cover the vine in late summer and fall, followed by silver, feathery seed heads. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all vines from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation hand pull seedlings, and cut large vines away from desirable vegetation, taking care to minimize seed dispersal if seed is present. Roots must also be dug up and disposed as described above. Chemical treatment: repeated applications of a 3% glysophate foliar spray will kill young vines and seedlings. The most effective treatment to kill larger vines is manual removal of plant to the ground and a stump cut treatment with a 15% triclopyr ester NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 9

10 Colocasia esculenta Wild Taro Bilological Description: Perennial tropical herb up to 4 tall with large corms just under the surface of the soil. Leaves are large up to 24 long and arrowhead shaped with the upper surface a dark velvety green, and the petiole attached to the center of the leafs under surface. Flowers appear on short stalks and are enveloped by a long yellow bract. Mechanical treatment: Not applicable at this site. Manual treatment: The most effective control of Wild Taro is the manual removal of the large fibrous corms. Chemical treatment: Where root corms cannot be removed efficiently, repeated application of 2% glysophate foliar spray with a surfactant may prove effective. Dioscorea bulbifera Air Potato A vigorous herbaceous vine growing up to 70 in length. Leaves alternate, broadly heart shaped up to 8 in diameter. Aerial, potato like tubers (bulbils) up to 5 in diameter form in the leaf axils. Flower is white in loose racemes during late summer. Seeds are thought to be absent in Florida. Mature plants form a large tuberous root. Plant goes dormant in winter. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all plant parts. This material shall be burned on site or dispose in landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, manually remove as much of the vine as possible including all tubers (bulbils) and roots. This material shall be burned on site or dispose in certified landfill. Chemical treatment: After manual and or mechanical treatment, preferably late in the growing season, but before dormancy, apply a foliar formulation of 1-2% glyphosate to new growth and remaining vegetation. Repeat as necessary. Hedera helix English Ivy Woody evergreen climber with two distinct vegetative forms, adult and juvenile. Pictured is the juvenile form with the classic 3-5 lobed ivy shaped leaf, and prominent venation NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 10

11 The adult form is shrubby with a rhombic shaped leaf and less prominent venation. The adult form has terminal clusters of white flowers in the fall followed by dark fleshy berries in the spring. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all vines from developed areas of site and burn on site in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, manually remove vines from trees and native shrubs with roots intact. This material shall be burned in a managed burn pile or disposed in a certified landfill. Chemical treatment: In buffer areas after most of the plant has been removed manually, treat new growth of vines with a 1% foliar applications 2, 4-D. Cut vines and treat stump with a 5% solution of 2, 4-D. Ipomoea cairica Mile a minute vine Herbaceous annual vine with a semi-woody base growing 30 or longer. Leaves are palmate with 5-7 lobes. Flowers are a purple funnel shape forming 1 fruit with many seeds Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all vines from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: Adjacent to and growing over creek, manually remove all plant parts including all roots, stems and fruit, and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Chemical treatment: During growing season, cut vine at breast height. All cut plant parts including fruit, shall be burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill.. Spray remaining vegetation with a 1-2% glysophate foliar spray solution. Lantana camara Lantana Evergreen shrub that grows to 6 with equal spread. Leaves are 1-4 long and wide, with rounded serrated margins. The surface is textured and both stems and leaves are covered in hairs that emit a pungent odor when bruised. Flowers are small, held in umbels 1-2 in diameter. It blooms through out the growing season. Color ranges from white to pink, yellow to orange and all combinations. Fruit is a cluster of blue metallic berries when ripe. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all shrubs from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 11

12 Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, hand pull shrubs and seedlings. Up rooted plants shall be allowed to dry and decompose in the sun. Ripe fruit shall be collected and dispose in a landfill. Chemical treatment: In the spring, apply a 1-2% glyphosate foliar treatment to shrubs in buffer areas. Ligustrum lucidum Glossy Privet Large evergreen shrub or small tree 20 in height and spread. Leaves opposite, leathery, with glossy dark green upper surface. Leaf margins are entire and rimmed with yellow. Flowers in spring in loose clusters of small white, fragrant flowers. Fruit, small, oval drupe ripening to black. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all trees and saplings from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, hand pull seedlings. Up rooted plants shall be allowed to dry and decompose in the sun. Ripe fruit shall be collected and dispose in a landfill. Chemical treatment: In buffer areas during the winter dormant season, apply a basal bark application of 15% triclopyr ester to young trees and saplings. Tree larger than 3 in diameter shall be cut-stumped treated with 50% triclopyr ester. Ripe fruit shall be collected and dispose in a certified landfill. Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Twining or trailing woody evergreen vine. Leaves opposite, simple 1 ½ -3 oblong with entire margins. Slight hairy pubescent on leaf midrib, along petioles and young stems. Flowers are fragrant, white to cream colored. Fruit a back berry. Flowers and fruits throughout growing season. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all plant parts from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer and undeveloped areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, manually remove all plant parts and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Care should be taken not to remove native vines. Chemical treatment: In the fall immediately following the first frost, treat vines with a foliar application of 3% triclopyr amine or 1-2% glyphosate products NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 12

13 Koelreuteria elagans Golden Raintree Medium sized deciduous tree, maturing about 30 tall with equal spread. Leaves, alternate, pinnate to bipinately compound. Leaflets number 7-15, are dark green, with crenate margins. Flowers, mid to late summer, showy yellow terminal inflorescence. Fruit are a 3-sided pod in terminal clusters, maturing from lime green to golden brown and persisting throughout the winter. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all trees, saplings, and seedlings from developed areas of the site. This material shall be burned in a managed burn pile or dispose in certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, hand pull all saplings, and seedlings and allow uprooted plants to dry and decompose in the sun. Viable seed shall be collected and burned in a managed burn pile or disposed in a certified land fill. Chemical treatment: In mid-winter or early summer prior to fruit ripening, trees in buffer areas shall be cutstump treated with 50% triclopyr amine. If viable seed is present it shall be collected and burned in a managed burn pile or disposed in a certified land fill. Saplings may be treated with a 15-20% triclopyr ester in basal oil to young bark apply as a basal bark treatment. Late in the growing season, treat seedlings by thoroughly wetting all leaves with 1-2% solution of triclopyr amine and a surfactant. Merremia dissecta Woodrose Herbaceous annual vine with a semi-woody base growing 20 or longer. Leaves are palmate with 5-7 deeply cut lobes. Flowers bloom throughout the growing season, are funnel form, white with ruby colored throat. Fruit is a strawflower seedpod maturing late in the growing season. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing, mechanically remove all vines from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas, manually remove entire plant including root. If fruit is present, bag plant and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Chemical treatment: During growing season, cut vine at knee height and treat remaining vegetation with a 1-2% glysophate foliar spray solution. All cut plant parts shall be burned in a managed burn pile or dispose in certified landfill. Bag plants if seed is present and dispose as described. Panicum maximum (Urochloa maxima) Guinea Grass Tufted perennial, often with a short creeping rhizome, highly variable height, leaf blades up to 1 wide tapering to a fine point; panicle 3-12 long, open spikelet green or purplish in color. Spreads primarily by perennial rootstock but may also regenerate from seed NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 13

14 Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing, mechanically remove all plant colonies from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Some areas of this site, under power lines and along roads, it may be possible to regularly mow plant colonies below 4 high to control. Manual treatment: For small infestations, in close proximity to desirable vegetation, it is possible to remove entire plant, including root rhizomes and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Chemical treatment: Repeated application of 1-2% foliar glyphosate solution and/or fluazifop-pbutyl will control. Care should be used in and around wetland environments to prevent drift. Ruellia brittoniana Mexican Petunia Evergreen perennial 3 tall with semi-woody stalks, forming colonies. Leaves are opposite, lance shaped and 6-12 long. Showy, blue trumpet shaped flowers bloom throughout the growing season. Naturalizes in wet locations. Control Method: Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing, mechanically remove all plant colonies from developed areas of site and burn in a managed burn pile or dispose in a certified landfill. Manual treatment: Not recommended. Chemical treatment: During the growing season, apply a foliar spray of 1-2% glyphosate herbicides. Repeat application in fall. Take precautions not to get herbicide in the creek. Sesbania punicea Brazilian Rattlebox Botanical Description: Short lived deciduous shrub, 6-10 tall, producing flower and fruit the 1 st year. Plants are light sensitive and will not grow or germinate in the shade. Leaves are Mimosa like pinnately compound, 4-10 long. Showy bright red and orange pea shaped flowers appear in mid-spring on pendulas racemes and may bloom continuously throughout the growing season. Seed pods are winged, 3-6 long with 6-12 reddish bean like seeds. Dried seed pods persist on the plant and rattle when shaken. Mechanical treatment: At this site, during dry periods, it may be possible to mow mature plants before fruit set in combination with a chemical follow up treatment NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 14

15 Manual treatment: Shallow roots systems make it possible to manually remove plants by hand or with a weed wrench. If ripe fruit is present, seed pods shall be removed from plant and bagged for disposal in Landfill. Chemical treatment: Repeated applications of a 5% glysophate solution has proven to be effective. Initial treatment shall begin before fruit set. Large plants with stalks > 2, cut stump treat with a 5% glysophate solution. Follow-up foliar applications shall continue periodically throughout the growing season to control flush of seedling germination. Sapium sebiferum Chinese tallow tree, popcorn tree Botanical Description: Deciduous tree to 50, commonly 30 with rounded crown. Leaves simple, alternate with entire margins, distinctly rounded base, tapering to a slender point. Flowers small, yellow born from a spike in the spring. Fruit is a small capsule about ½ in diameter, ripening in the fall and splitting open to resemble popcorn; Control Methods Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing mechanically remove all trees, saplings seedlings and ripe fruit from developed areas of site. This material shall be burned on site or dispose in landfill. Manual treatment: Not recommended. Chemical treatment: During anytime of the year except spring, trees can be cut-stumped treated with 20% triclopyr ester. During the active growing season, treat saplings with a basal bark application of 15% triclopyr ester. Late in the growing season, treat seedlings by thoroughly wetting all leaves with 5% solution of triclopyr amine and a surfactant. Tradescantia fluminensis Day Flower Botanical Description: Trailing perennial herb, with prostrate stems rooting at nodes forming dense mats. Leaves simple, alternate with parallel veins and glossy green about 2 long. Flowers small white triangular shaped with 3 petals. Mechanical treatment: During clearing and grubbing in the developed portions of the site mechanically remove all plant parts and dispose in a landfill. Manual treatment: In buffer areas adjacent to desirable vegetation, the most effective measure of control is hand weeding at close intervals. The dense infestations can be controlled by raking and rolling plants like a carpet, removing all vegetative matter and disposing in landfill. Chemical treatment: In buffer areas, apply a 1-2% glysophate solution during the growing season NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 15

16 MONITORING SCHEDULE & SUCCESS CRITERIA Success for the initial dormant season treatment, shall be defined as an 80% kill after 60 days for the following targeted species: Ardisia crenata, Cinnamomum camphora, Ligustrum lucidum, A second follow up treatment for these invasive species should be conducted approximately 120 days after initial treatment to spot treat missed plants and new growth. After the initial and follow up treatment cycle, bi-annual monitoring during the growing season and again the in the fall shall continue for a minimum of 2 years. Based on monitoring results repeat specified control methods for Ardisia crenata, Cinnamomum camphora, Ligustrum lucidum, until these species are 90% controlled. Success for the initial growing season treatment shall be defined as an 80% kill after 60 days for the following targeted invasive species: Albizia julibrissin, Begonia cucullata, Broussonetia papyrifera, Clematis terniflora, Colcocasia esculenta, Dioscorea bulbifera, Impomoea cairica, Koelreuteria elagans, Lantana camara, Lonicera Japonica, Hedera helix, Merremia dissecta, Panicum maxicum, Ruellia tweediana, Sapium sebiferum, Sesbania punicea, and Tradescabtia fluminensis. A second follow up treatment for these invasive species should be conducted approximately 90 days after initial treatment to spot treat missed plants and new growth. After the initial and follow up treatment cycle, bi-annual monitoring shall continue during the growing season and again in the fall of each year for a minimum of 2 years. Based on monitoring results repeat specified control methods until Albizia julibrissin, Begonia cucullata, Broussonetia papyrifera, Clematis terniflora, Colcocasia esculenta, Dioscorea bulbifera, Impomoea cairica, Koelreuteria elagans, Lantana camara, Lonicera Japonica, Hedera helix, Merremia dissecta, Panicum maxicum, Ruellia tweediana, Sapium sebiferum, Sesbania punicea, and Tradescabtia fluminensis. are 90% controlled. In the fall of each year, Annual Monitoring Reports prepared by qualified personnel shall be submitted to the city of Gainesville. Monitoring reports shall include the following: 1. An executive summary, describing project goals and objectives, existing or proposed uses as well as any prohibited activities. 2. A map of the site. 3. Color photographs of the site and its important features. 4. A description and assessment of targeted pest plants removal and control. 5. A description and assessment of mitigation activities including any additional measures determined necessary to meet success criteria. REFERENCE MATERIAL Books Langeland, K.A.; Burks, K.C. ed Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida s Natural Areas. Gainesville, Fl: University of Florida Kurz, H.; Godrey, R.K Trees of North Florida. University Press of Florida Manuals and Reports Langleland, K.A.; Stocker R.K. ed Control of Non-native Plants in Natural Areas of Florida. Gainesville, Fl: University of Florida Institute of Food Agricultural Sciences 2406 NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 16

17 Langleland, K.A Natural Area Weed Management a Training Manual for Restricted Use Pesticide Applicators. Gainesville, Fl: University of Florida Institute of Food Agricultural Sciences Miller J.H Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forest a Field Guide for Identification and Control United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southern Research Station, General Technical Report SRS-62 Fishel, Fred 1998 Applying Pesticides Correctly a Guide for pesticide Applicators 6 th Addition. University of Florida IFAS Extension, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture Web sites FLEPPC 2005 List of Florida s Invasive Species of Florida Exotic Pest Plants Councils. Internet Atlas of Florida Vascular plants Institute for systematic botany- University of South Florida Virginia Tech, Department of Forestry, College of Natural Resources Global Invasive Species Initiative Randwick City Council, Environmental Weed Profile Okerman, Anne Combating the Ivy Desert The Invasion of Hedera helix (English Ivy) in the Pacific North West Brain- Brisrain Rainforest Action and Information Network Floridata Invasive Weed Species Center for Aquatic Weed Control University of Florida IFAS Sesbian punicea (Brazilian Rattlebox) Management Information Queensland Government; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Coastal-Morning-Glory-PP87.pdf 2406 NW 43 rd Street l Gainesville, Florida l tel l fax 17