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Tree Killers

Siberian Peashrub

(Caragana arborescens)


Photo 26: Kitty Kohout, Wisconsin State Herbarium

Biology

  • a perennial, woody shrub that grows to four metres tall (12 ft)
  • belongs to the Pea family
  • four to six pairs of small leaflets make up each compound leaf
  • pairs of sharp spines occur at the base of the leaves
  • fragrant, bright-yellow flowers are produced in spring that develop later into long bean-shaped pods containing many seeds
  • when mature, the pods turn brown and pop open, ejecting the seeds away from the parent shrub
  • drought and salt tolerant and able to grow in poor, dry soil
  • has a very dense and extensive root system
  • can reproduce from seeds and from root suckers

Photo 27: John M. Randall/The Nature Conservancy

History in Canada

  • commonly planted for hedges and windbreaks, especially on the prairies
  • escaped from Alberta to Quebec but mainly a problem on the prairies

Impact on Trees

  • may grow in dense stands in open woodland, forest openings, or woodland edges
  • suppresses native tree seedlings due to shade

Photo 28: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service

Control

  • cutting trunks followed by herbicide application to the cut trunks
  • herbicide application to the entire shrub
  • several years of control may be needed since the seeds are unaffected by the above methods and seedlings can recolonize an area

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