Fireweed - How is it carried & what is the safest way to get rid of it?

Question

I live in a small country town surrounded by dairy farms which sometimes have a problem with it, but I do live in the town section.

Been here for almost 12 years. This is the first time that I've seen fireweed in my yard.

Is it airborne or carried by birds?

As I have kids, is there a safe way to get rid of it without spraying?

Answer 1

Fireweed is a pretty flower which grows in newly uncovered soil. If you are in an area where it grows naturally there will be seeds sitting in the soil waiting for a fire or other soil disturbance.

They are edible (see wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireweed ) so not dangerous for your children.

You can let them grow and enjoy the pretty flowers, or you can pull them up or, if you kids play there, they can trample the fireweed plants down. There is really no point in using poison to get rid of them.

Answer 2

fire weed like most other plants sets seed after flowering.simply pull the plants out by the roots before they set seed.

Answer 3

It is dangerous when ingested. Only 2 animals who can eat it are sheep & goats. It is a toxic plant, and I wouldn't be letting my kids *play with the pretty flowers*

To remove it, you need to cut it all up, including the roots. Some people recommend you to burn the hole out, as well as the tree itself.

If you don't wish to remove it, your council will do it. Since you do live in a farming area, I suggest you call your Council’s Weeds Officer. Because weeds are a d**n nuisance, it's free, and your farming neighbours will love you.

It's seeds do travel by air, birds, mammals, and in your shoes. Like any other plant system.

I do suggest you contact your council babes, it's a pest. It doesn't take long for it to spread. The things it does to a cow isn't pretty, and considering they are milkers it could really stuff up the milk. One plant from memory produces around 20,000 seeds. I don't want that stuff coming near me!

Answer 4

A suggestion: pull it up, roots and all then place them in black plastic bags, tie them up and leave them in the sun.

this should bake them, killing some of the seeds whilst preventing seed spread.

Answer 5

Fireweed is a nasty one.  Check out this site for more information.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/...