30-07-2013, 12:43 PM
3
Re: Fruit Pickers Wanted
Ha Ha... It's a noxious weed.
Recognised as one of the worst weeds in Australia, blackberry was declared a Weed of National Significance (WoNS) in 1999. Blackberries belong to a large genus (group of species) called Rubus which includes other berry plants such as raspberries (R. idaeus), dewberries (R. roribaccus), and loganberries (R. loganobaccus).
Blackberry grows vigorously and can infest large areas quickly. Negative impacts include:
- reduced available grazing land (most livestock find blackberry unpalatable) and restricted livestock access to water (when growing densely around waterbodies)
- reduced productivity of land caused by shading out of pastures and crops, and competition for soil moisture and nutrients
- problems in forestry such as the prevention of regeneration of hardwood forests and reduced capacity of plantation softwood and hardwood seedlings to establish and grow. Thickets of blackberry also hinder access for forest operations
- degradation of natural environments by displacing native plants and reducing habitat for native animals
- devaluation of visual and recreational aspects of public land, parks and reserves
- provision of harbour for vermin such as rabbits and foxes, and seasonal food for exotic animals such as starlings, blackbirds and foxes. These pest species also disperse blackberry seed, acting as vectors that spread blackberry infestations
- increased fire hazard caused by dead blackberry material and obstruction of access to fire trails and water for controlling fires.
30-07-2013, 05:50 PM
5
Re: Fruit Pickers Wanted
my neighbour grows them too, only thing is they are not trained anywhere they just grow all over their garden literally, and coming over to mine too. will have Bramble jelly and blackberry crumble though. Good year for blackberries too if we keep getting the snshine.Mypear and apple trees doing good too.
30-07-2013, 06:02 PM
6
Re: Fruit Pickers Wanted
Originally Posted by Bruce
->
Ha Ha... It's a noxious weed.
Personally I grow a cultivated thornless variety which produces large berries of good flavour, and wouldn't be without it's annual bounty...
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