Death to the Invader

There are three species of cattail found in Wisconsin—one good guy that is native and desirable and a couple of bad guys that are aggressive and invasive. 

Broad-leaved cattail (Typha latifolia) is a friend of the wetland and narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia) is undesirable. The other bad guy is a cross-bred – or hybrid – of the two.  Both narrow-leaved and hybrid cattail are aggressive and can take over wetlands crowding-out more desirable plant species. 

Another bad guy is common reed grass or phragmites.  This invasive species is also capable of forming dense stands that crowd out native plants and make a mess of valuable wildlife habitat.  We have engaged both in battle.

Because we happen to share home range with the Blanding's turtle all of the invasives work performed in the wetland habitat is conducted by professionals. One of the rites of fall is putting to death the phragmites and cattails that strive to gain a foothold in the big pond north of the house.  

I spoke with the crew this morning and the report was good.  After several years of diligent treatment the nasties are a shadow of their former selves.  Over the winter a burn plan will be prepared and filed and a burn conducted early next year to set-back the woody invasives and reduce fuel build-up in the wetland and surrounding grassland. 

The other observation was that the grassland was full of deer beds.