Is there a specific way to safely remove this plant? Will it keep coming back?

Reporter
April 28, 2012, 10:30 a.m.

Thanks for your question, Alysson. That sounds like a scary experience. It's a troubling plant because not everyone reacts badly to it; the sap doesn't affect me at all. But it seems like when you're susceptible, you're REALLY susceptible.

So, we've done some limited removal of spurge laurel in southeast and had good luck with just digging. Long sleeves, gloves, full precautions against getting sap on your skin. At this stage, with berries still unripe, you should be able to get most of that in yard debris. Clipping berries and putting them in the trash wouldn't be a bad idea, but maybe not essential. Once most of the root is out, then you're almost always done with that plant. Lots of seedlings for a couple of years, but no adults.

Feel free to contact me directly (mitch.bixby@portlandoregon.gov) if you have other questions....

-Mitch

Mitch Bixby
May 2, 2012, 10:29 a.m.