Weedbusters

Location: nationwide Distinctive features:

Syzygium smithii was a popular hedging tree in the 1970s. It’s known by several names, including acmena and lily pilly. It grows 6-15m and has glossy, leathery leaves which are very aromatic when crushed. White flowers appear from October to January, followed by huge bunches of pink-mauve or white berry-like fruit, which contain large seeds.

Why is it weedy?

Long-lived (100 years+) and produces a lot of seeds that are spread widely by birds, especially pigeons. Seedlings are shade-tolerant and form dense stands that crowd out other species. It grows much faster than native species, filling any gaps in the bush canopy. Carries myrtle rust (see page 8). Tolerates frost, salt, drought, and wind.

How to control it

Monkey apple is very hard to kill.

Pull or dig seedlings (all year round). Leave on site to rot down.

Cut and squirt (all year round) or bore and fill: make 1 cut or hole every 10cm around the trunk. Apply a slurry of metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (2g) to each cut/hole. Cut down and paint stump (all year round): metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/L).

Frill (continuous cut): treat with metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (4g/L + penetrant)

Spray (spring-autumn): metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/10L + penetrant). How to stop it coming back

Bared areas reseed profusely. Stumps will regrow. Check area at least 6-monthly to control seedlings. Replant densely, using pigeon-friendly species (where possible) to minimise seedling growth.