Public's help sought in fighting garlic mustard

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Bessemer — The Gogebic Conservation District initiated a garlic mustard eradication program this month in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.

The aim is to keep garlic mustard infestations in the Ironwood-Bessemer area from jumping into private, county and national forests, according to GCD Administrator Jim Finley.

Originally brought to the U.S. from Europe as a food plant, garlic mustard can escape from gardens “and spread like wildfire,” Finley said.

“The plant has the ability to change the soil it grows in to its own benefit, but this is not healthy for the seedlings of the native trees. As a result, garlic mustard is a significant threat to forest health throughout the nation,” Finley said.

Ron Zaleski, Invasive Species Coordinator with the GCD, said there are about 40 sites in the area that will be treated by “pulling, cutting and spraying with a herbicide for up to five years.”

He said the plant’s seed bank can be productive for up to 10 years, however.

The plant must be tackled in May because it bolts to seed in May and June, meaning there’s not much time to mount a battle.

Letters were sent this month to property owners at affected sites asking for permission to enter properties and treat the garlic mustard, Finley said.

He asks people who have not returned the short forms to do so. “This is important work. Invasive plan species are changing the face of America’s landscape and if this nasty plant runs wild in our woods, you’ll know it. Your nose will tell you.”

Many patches can be hand-pulled by one or two people in a short time, he said.

Volunteers who’d like to help out can contact Finley at 906-663-4512 or email info.gogebic.cd@gmailcom.