Is there a "policing agency" for this issue?
What are the chances of the weed crossing the road?
When may I contact you again on this problem?

Reporter
Nov. 30, 2008, 1:03 p.m.

Dear Barry,

Thanks for reporting Field Bindweed. Yes, this is a very obnoxious plant and is listed as a noxious weed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Considered a pest throughout the United States, bindweed is known for is ability to reduce crop yields by 50%. It competes with crops for moisture and nutrients, and is difficult to remove once established. The twining nature of the plant hampers harvesting of crops, especially in orchards and vineyards. It will certainly cross the road into your yard. Broadleaf/dandelion herbicides works on field bindweed.

Unfortunately, it is not considered high priority for control because it is already so widespread. The landowner would be responsible for controlling it on their property, but the State doesn’t have authority to require its control. Authority could come from the county level if they form a weed district. A Weed District can serve as a “policing agency”, requiring people to control certain weeds on their property. However, I don’t believe Clackamas Co. has formed a weed district. So, the solution for now is landowner education. One option would be to find out who the land owner is and have a friendly neighborly talk about the threats of invasive species and the potential for species on their property to impact the value and quality of their neighbors land. This link to the ODA page on field bindweed has some good information that you could print out and share. http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/profile_fieldbindweed.shtml

Thanks again for taking the time to report and caring about the problem of invasive species. I would encourage you to keep looking out for new invasive species. Field bindweed is already very widespread, but there are others that are just as damaging but still not as abundant. These species get priority for control because there is still a chance to control them. For example, garlic mustard is marching its way into the Willamette Vally from the Columbia Gorge. The 4-county Cooperative Weed Management Area (Including Clackamas) has a good website about their efforts and opportunities to get involved. http://www.4countycwma.org/getinvolved. I would encourage you to learn how to ID it, keep an eye out, and report this plant anywhere you see it. “Weed Watcher” trainings will be offered in the Portland area if you want some hands one experience identifying other early detection species. Feel free to contact me at tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu if you want more info about these trainings.

Thanks again.

Tania Siemens
Oregon Sea Grant/The Nature Conservancy
tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu

Tania Siemens
Dec. 8, 2008, 11:22 p.m.