Conservation
Invasive Species Control
The Texas Gulf coast is host to several exotic species that you may be familiar with, some of the most notorious and invasive of these being fire ants, grass carp, nutria, hydrilla, water hyacinth, and Chinese tallow trees. A more recent invader that has the potential to be as damaging as Chinese tallow is Brazilian peppertree, which was discovered not too long ago on Galveston Island.
Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius)
Brazillian Peppertree
The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) is engaged in a project to eradicate Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolius) from Galveston Island. Brazilian peppertree is a non-native, invasive plant species that was brought to Texas as an ornamental plant and is considered one of the greatest threats to native biodiversity. This opportunistic species quickly forms dense thickets, shading out native vegetation and drastically affecting plant and animal communities.
The current and largest-scale phase of the control work began at the end of August 2010 and will continue through September 2010. Control work is focused on four areas on and around Galveston Island—the I-45 corridor, Corps Woods, Ten Mile Road, and Pelican Island. Following control work, GBF will continue to monitor the treated areas and re-treat new growth.
This project is funded by grants from the Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program, NOAA, Galveston Bay Estuary Program/TCEQ, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program.
GBF became involved in the control of Brazilian peppertree just after it was first discovered on Galveston Island. In 2005, GBF, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Restore America’s Estuaries, and NOAA partnered on an initial control project that resulted in the chemical treatment/removal of Brazilian peppertrees from all known locations of infestation at the Sweetwater Nature Preserve, Galveston Island Municipal Golf Course, Scholes Airport, and 17 private residential properties. As part of this project, GBF produced a one-page fact sheet, "Brazilian Pepper Tree on Galveston Island: The Next Chinese Tallow?," available in our Publications.
Corp Woods, Galveston 11.23.2010
Yarr
Coast Guard HQ in background
Typical Pepper Tree Thicket. I have to keep reminding my guys no one has been snake bit in 20 years of us doing this type of work. So just climb on in, and damn the snakes.
The total circumference of the base of the tree must be coated to prevent re-sprouting.
Or cut the whole tree off and treat the stump.
What are you? Some short sighted trigger puller? - RR3 .
Mr.wRong.