Dear Carol

Thanks for your report! Yes, Scotch broom is an enormous problem. It costs Oregonians an estimated $47 million dollars annually in lost timber production alone, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Unfortunately, Because it is so widespread, most control efforts are focused on preventing it from invading agricultural/timber lands or into protected natural areas. Private land owners can help slow the spread by controlling it on their property. Click on this link for a fact sheet on scotch broom and some recommended control methods. http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/lands/weeds/pdf/scotch-spanish-broom-control.pdf

Thanks again for your report and good luck.

Tania Siemens/OSU Sea Grant Extension/The Nature Conservancy

Tania Siemens
May 19, 2008, 11:32 p.m.