WESTFIELD – The Conservation Commission approved a Westfield State University invasive species eradication program which will target several non-native plants causing harm to native plants.
Dr. Tim Parchall of the WSU Biology Department appeared before the commission Tuesday with graduating seniors Ella McPherson and Joshua Peny to present details of the invasive plant species removal program.
The targeted property belongs to WSU and was formerly known as the Sheraton Inn on Russell Road, and contains several resource areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the commission.
The land is used currently by the university for both environmental science and biology class. McPherson and Peny performed a survey of the invasive species, such as oriental bittersweet and multiflora rose.
The bittersweet is a vine that chokes native trees by growing into the canopy of the tree and effectively stealing sunlight. The multiflora rose is a ground plant that forms dense impenetrable thickets because it is armed with large thorns.
Parchall said the students have developed a program for students in the future “to curb” the expansion of the invasive species by mechanically harvesting the multiflora rose and other low-growing species, and by cutting the bittersweet vines.
The problem is that the roots will send up new vine shoots unless treated with a herbicide that is “painted” onto the vine at the top of the cut.
“The cutting only spawns more (vines) from the roots,” Parchall said.
Commission James Murphy asked if the use of herbicide will cause “lateral damage” to other plant species. The students responded that the herbicide will not be a spray, but painted onto the vines.
Parchall said that a licensed herbicide applicator will be hired to perform that application and that the project will be overseen by the biology department faculty.
“This is a multi-year program,” Parchall said. “There will always be faculty present.”
Dr. David Doe, a former member of the WSU staff and currently the commission chairman, asked for a timeline of the program.
Parchall said that in the fall students will asses and adjust the treatment process as needed to attain the greatest impact.
The commission voted to approve the program with the condition that a licensed applicator is hired and that mechanically harvested materials are removed from the site.
