Principal source:
Compiler: IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group
Updates with support from the Overseas Territories Environmental Programme (OTEP) project XOT603, a joint project with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment
Review: Dr Richard Hill, Richard Hill Associates. Christchurch. New Zealand.
Publication date: 2010-10-04
Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Ulex europaeus. Downloaded from http://iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=69 on 08-12-2024.
A Risk assessment of Ulex europaeus for Australia was prepared by Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) using the Australian risk assessment system (Pheloung, 1995). The result is a score \r\r\nof 26 and a recommendation of: reject the plant for import (Australia) or species likely to be a pest (Pacific).
Cultural: In Oregon, forest managers use fast-growing tree species to shade out gorse. This technique has also been used in New Zealand and Hawai‘i. Planting acid-tolerant, fast-growing species in gorse thickets may eventually shade out gorse without further management efforts (IPM, 2000). McCarter and Gaynor (1980; in IPM, 2000) report that the combined effect of competition of white clover (Trifolium repens) and the symbiont Rhizoctonia fungi will prevent gorse establishment in situations of extreme competition among pasture species and defoliation caused by grazing stock. It has also been stated that a healthy, well-fertilised sward of pasture which is not overgrazed or pugged will be more resistant to gorse invasion than poorly managed pasture (BOPRC, undated).
Chemical: Many herbicides are not very effective on gorse because of the shape of the \"leaves\" and the thick cuticles on the spines which help prevent absorption of herbicides. Large, isolated gorse bushes can be killed by cutting and spraying the stumps with Grazon, Tordon or Escort. A motorised knapsack sprayer uses little herbicide and kills small, scattered gorse bushes. Herbicides registered for use on gorse are: activated amitrole, Answer, Escort, glyphosate, Grazon, Reglone, Tordon, Brushkiller, Touchdown, Trounce Gorsekiller and Versatill.
\r\nHerbicide Ballistic Technology (HBT™) is a new technique designed to improve the efficiency of incipient weed management with accurate long-range delivery of effective herbicide doses. Dr. James Leary, CTAHR Invasive Weed Specialist, introduces Herbicide Ballistic Technology (HBT) to control invasive weeds in Hawaii. Trials have been carried out on banana poka (Passiflora tarminiana), Australian tree fern (Sphaeropteris cooperi), kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum), including basal bark applications to strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum).
Please watch this YouTube video on the use of Herbicide Ballistic Technology (HBT™) in the management of gorse.
Integrated management: Successful clearance of gorse requires a combination of methods: good pasture management, good grazing management and the appropriate follow-up herbicide application (AgResearch, 1999).
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