KAURI DIEBACK PRECAUTIONS ARE IN PLACE ACROSS ALL OUR ACTIVITIES. More details
All about Weeds
In places like Titirangi, weeds are hugely damaging to natural areas because weed growth suppresses native growth.
Where weeds grow uncontrolled the life span of the bush is around 70 years. Removing invasive weeds gives the bush the chance to continue hundreds or even thousands of years of growth and restoration.
The problems with weeds:
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Weeds travel. They don’t care about boundaries. They are spread by people, machinery, wind, water and birds. They thrive on and spread quickly from bush edges, streams, road edges and in roadside ditches.
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Weeds can explode! Beware the lone weed. Sprinkled individuals and clusters of weeds can spread faster than a large colony.
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Weeds can be pretty. Don’t fall for their good looks. If they are invasive, they are a big problem.
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Weeds can be amazingly resilient. They can grow from stumps, logs, branches, twigs, leaves, spores, seeds, rhizomes, tubers, bulbs and any pieces left in the ground.
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Weed removal can spread Kauri Die Back. So make sure that you follow the guidelines on www.kauridieback.org.nz even when working in your garden.
But all is not lost…
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Be weed intolerant! Remove weeds as quickly as you can. Time is of the essence!
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Deal with any isolated weeds first - they usually spread faster than a large colony.
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Cut flowers off any weeds you haven’t removed yet – this is a handy shortcut method to stop the next generation from getting established
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Replant - with other plants, ideally natives, to stop future weeds from getting established and maintain your weed-free areas to keep them that way
The Weedbusters website is our recommended source of information and guidance about different types of weeds and how to best manage them.
In other places
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If you are out walking or exploring, break off flower heads before they seed and if you can, pull out weeds. Dispose of seed heads in the rubbish.
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Ensure your stormwater and wastewater systems are well maintained – and report any issues you spot when out and about
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Get involved in local community groups to care for streams, waterways and other public spaces
What is weed hygiene?
Make sure you don’t unknowingly add to the Kauri Dieback problem:
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Locate compost piles in a location you can maintain all around them, and away from streams, ditches and bush
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Cleaning your garden tools including spades and edge trimmers
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Dispose of weeds safely Always following Kauri Dieback protocols
Visit www.kauridieback.co.nz for information.
These pages were created with support of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board
