New England Weeds Authority has inspected the Armidale township for privet and letters for controlling this weed have been sent out to landholders.
The responsibility of landholders/occupiers is not to remove privet entirely but to keep it trimmed back and prevent the plant from flowering and fruiting. This is an ongoing task.
A better long term strategy is to remove it and replace it with a more desirable species, and there are many alternatives. Privet can be controlled by cutting the plant and painting the freshly cut surface with herbicide such as glyphosate (e.g. Round-Up). This is best done whilst the plant is actively growing.
Privet is originally from China and Europe and was introduced to Australia by early settlers as a hedging plant for shade and windbreaks. The New England Weeds Authority receives many complaints from people suffering from allergies triggered by the Privet pollen. Privet flowers in late spring – summer, with pollen being released in December and January. The fruit are small, blue-black berries that appear after flowering and are feasted upon by many bird species which distribute the seed throughout the area. The seeds germinate easily in protected environments, such as backyards and along fence lines, particularly between fences and walls of structures.
For help with weed identification and management please contact any of our Biosecurity Officers (Weeds) on 67703602, call into our office at 2/129 Rusden St Armidale, follow our facebook site or visit www.newa.com.au.
Picture of a Privet in flower
