Practical conservation: Himalayan Balsam removal - NEW DATE - 26TH AUGUST 2009

Practical conservation: Himalayan Balsam removal

The summer is back in Cockermouth, and so is the Himalayan Balsam weed… This invader settles on river banks or damp ground where it suppresses all native grasses and wildflowers, as well as leaving bare banks prone to erosion in the autumn. A work party is currently working to eliminate the Himalayan Balsam from the banks of the River Cocker and Derwent in Cockermouth. But new pairs of hands are certainly welcome!!!

Come give a hand to get ride of this invader. You will need gloves, long sleeves and long trousers as well as glasses and insect repellent and sun cream if necessary. Also since we are working on rivers banks, wellies or at least boots are essential.

Where and When:
MEET WEDNESDAY 26TH AUGUST 2009 ON THE FOOTBRIDGE LINKING THE MILL / MEMORIAL GARDENS WITH THE TOWN CENTRE AT 6:30.

NOTE: IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAIN THE EVENT WILL BE CANCELLED.

For more information, e-mail us via contacts.

For more information about the Himalayan Balsam please see below

Himalayan balsam was introduced to Britain in 1839 and easily escaped from gardens into the wild where it colonises river banks and areas of damp ground.
On river banks it eventually forms dense stands that suppress and can even eradicate native grasses and wildflowers. The plant is an annual so dies back in the autumn, rotting away quickly to leave bare banks that are then prone to erosion, leading in turn to silting of rivers and smothering of salmon eggs etc.
Himalayan balsam supports very few invertebrate species, in contrast to the native grasses and flowers it replaces, although it is used as preferentially as a nectar source by bees. In dense stands this can occur to such an extent that pollination of other species is reduced. Stands of balsam may look pretty to some, but compared to grasslands rich with native wildflowers they are all but sterile.

In the lake district it already has a hold in many catchments but it has proven possible to control it where sufficient effort is put in; long stretches of the Derwent through Borrowdale were dominated by the plant until recently, but sustained effort has massively reduced it so that only a handful of balsam plants are seen now and the native flora and associated wildlife have recovered.

In the Cocker catchment this co-ordinated approach has just started, with the EA, National Trust, National Park, Cockermouth Anglers, Cockermouth Army Cadet Force and a number of landowners all beginning to work together.
Whilst there will still be seeds washing down to Cockermouth from Lorton Vale for some time yet, the infestations on and above the banks of the rivers through town could be significantly reduced by sustained hand-pulling over the next few years. The plant's seeds typically survive for two years so some results should be seen within three years, with progressively more benefit as effort goes on.

Himalayan balsam is very easy to pull up and rots away quickly once dead - it can normally be left in place or put in heaps - or hung over fences to dry out if this won't cause any problems. In wet conditions it can carry on growing if pulled and left on the ground so the stems should be snapped or kinked to prevent this. A large plant can produce several hundred seeds so it is important that effort is taken to completely clear any areas tackled.

It is not poisonous and has no thorns or stinging cells, but it can grow in amongst brambles and nettles so gloves and long sleeves are very advisable. Pulling it may also expose volunteers to ticks so again long sleeves & trousers and an awareness of Lyme's Disease are advisable.