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Himalayan blackberry can be found in a variety of areas. It lives in many different types of sites. It will grow in open weedy sites and is also common in woodlands. It is often seen growing along roadsides and railroad tracks. It will grow on a variety of disturbed and natural soil types. It is capable of growing on infertile barren soils. It does require adequate moisture, but can handle flooding. This species is capable of sending out runners to promote further growth. It is also has extensive regeneration capabilities, even if pruned to the ground line. Along sides streams blackberries can out-compete with native trees. As the trees die off the potential for stream erosion is greatly increased.

Blackberry can be controlled by digging, mowing, herbicide, plowing, and/or livestock grazing (especially goats). Removal of top growth by mowing, cutting or grazing with goats will eventually kill blackberry if done regularly and over several years. Cutting followed by digging up root crowns is much more effective than cutting alone. Blackberry can be controlled with herbicides, but product labels should be followed carefully - different products need to be used at different times and may pose different risks to the user and the environment.

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Ailanthus seeds

Himalayan blackberries can grow 15 feet tall with 40 foot canes that develop roots at the tips, creating daughter plants.

Ailanthus seeds

Make sure to have a long-term plan to ensure success, protect native and beneficial species while doing the control, and start in the least infested areas first and then move into the more heavily infested areas.

CONTROL MEASURES
Himalayan blackberry is difficult to control because of its extensive vegetative reproduction. Control measures may be limited when this species grows in sensitive wetland habitats. Mechanical removal and burning may be the most effective ways of removing mature plants. Treatments with herbicides can promote vegetative growth from lateral roots. This species is shade intolerant, so its reestablishment may be prevented by
planting fast-growing shrubs or trees. Because plants can resprout from root fragments and stem fragments, many years of follow-up efforts are necessary for successful control. The introduction of herbivorous insects and fungi to control Himalayan blackberry is not supported by the USDA because of the risk posed to commercially important Rubus species (Hoshovsky 1989, Hoshovsky 2000).


Battle Creek
Watershed Conservancy
P.O. Box 606, Manton, CA 96059


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Created September 27, 2011