So What’s the Problem??
What is Arundo? Why is it a problem? Local project to locate stands Links & More Info
Commonly know as Giant Reed, or Giant Cane, this extremely fast growing plant resembles bamboo. It can grow up to 4 inches per day, and reach 30 feet tall. It often colonizes stream banks and damp areas, but can also grow in drier areas. It thrives in many our local areas. It was brought here by Spanish missionaries to use as a building material. Some nurseries still sell it as an ornamental plant, even though it is considered a pest in many states. It has escaped into natural areas but it has little or no value for wildlife.
Why Is This Plant A Problem ?
§
Arundo is an aggressively
invasive plant.
It spreads quickly and forms thick stands. It chokes stream banks. Small
pieces that break off can readily establish new colonies further downstream.
§ Arundo is a fire hazard. This plant is very flammable. It burns even when green. Its height and dry leaves and stalks make it a fire-ladder that enables flames to reach up into nearby trees. This is a dangerous plant to have near roadways where lighted cigarettes may be carelessly thrown. It can turn stream channels, which are usually damp, fire-resistant barriers into pathways for fire to travel.
§ Arundo can exacerbate flooding. During storms, clumps may break away from banks and clog up swelling streams because arundo's shallow roots don’t hold to the bank.
§ Arundo displaces useful native plants and ruins habitat. This fast growing reed crowds out native plants that provide food, shelter and nesting sites for our local birds and wildlife. It can quickly turn a richly diverse stream ecosystem into a wasteland devoid of any habitat value---except for non-native rats. Back to top
§ Arundo wastes water. Its root system sucks up water more rapidly than native vegetation. It deprives the soil and other plants of water, thus changing and drying out the ecosystem.
§ Arundo control costs public agencies precious resources that are needed for other important work. When clumps of arundo clog stream channels, maintenance workers must spend valuable time and money to cut and spray, or dig out these potentially dangerous flood and fire hazards, or risk liability claims. In some cases, arundo clumps that have eroded away from a stream bank have damaged bridges and other structures downstream, causing expensive repairs.
§ Postcard Project After becoming aware of the problems caused by this plant, and learning about massive, damaging and expensive infestations of Arundo in Southern California, the Alhambra Watershed Council and Friends of Alhambra Creek decided to assess how prevalent this plant is in our watershed, and whether there should be more public education about Arundo. A postcard was mailed to creekside residents within Alhambra Watershed to ask for their local knowledge of arundo locations. TO REPORT A STAND OF ARUNDO, CONTACT MARY GRIM at 672-6522 x113 or mary.grim@ca.nacdnet.net
§ Future Goals If it numerous patches are reported, and if landowners express an interest in replacing this plant, this may provide a rationale for the watershed groups to apply for funding to assist interested landowners with removing this plant and replacing it with native, drought-tolerant vegetation that would also provide song-bird habitat.
§ Partnership with Martinez to do Arundo Removal Beginning in 2009, Alhambra Watershed Council, Friends of Alhambra Creek, and New Leaf Collaborative High School Program began a partnership with the City of Martinez to remove arundo from high-risk locations on city property. We started on the tributary next to Alhambra Avenue at the infestation that was furthest upstream. Since this plant frequently breaks off segments that float downstream, starting new colonies, it is important to start at the most upstream stands and work downstream. Otherwise the project will be in vain, due to recolonization. One tributary of Alhambra Creek has been cleared of Arundo. We're starting on the next tributary creek.
§ WE WELCOME ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION. If you care about our local environment, if you are interested in this issue, or any other watershed issue, and if you have any time to spare, we warmly welcome you to join our meeting, activities, and efforts on behalf of the Alhambra Creek Watershed. Please contact Mary Grim at mary.grim@ca.nacdnet.net or 672-6522 x113 with any questions, ideas or suggestions. Or click on Alhambra Watershe at www.ccrcd.org.
Links and More Information
- Free Landowner Handbook on Arundo (and other resources)
- Brochure on Giant Reed from Sacramento Weed Warriors
- Website of Team Arundo Del Norte -- A forum of local, state, and federal organizations dedicated to the control of Arundo donax (giant reed),