Time to destroy cotoneaster

Forest and Bird is helping Aucklanders identify unwanted weeds and give people tips on how to destroy them.

The organisation wants to get these weeds out of residential gardens before they make their way into reserves, forests and beaches.

This month’s weed is cotoneaster.

Cotoneaster is an evergreen shrub or small tree originating from China and the Himalayas.

It grows 2-to-5 metres tall and has pale blue-green leaves.

It has clusters of up to 60 small white flowers from October to January, followed by orange-red berries from February to August.

The plant matures quickly and forms dense stands.

It eliminates other plants except weedy vines. It can produce a large amount of seeds.

Birds eat the seeds and can disperse them a long distance into other gardens and bush areas.

It grows in a wide range of habitats and climatic conditions.

To control cotoneaster dig out small plants any time of the year.

Preferably in summer and autumn, cut large plants and swab the stump with herbicide.

Dispose of the remnants.

Cut plants may be left on site to rot, but check for regrowth from seeds and sprouting from cut branches and stumps.

Go to aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone 09 301 0101 for weed bin locations, or dispose in your rubbish bag or garden bag.