[MAIPC] FW: Canadian Thistle in Deale

[Jonathan Duffy]

The local country extension agent might be of help. Our’s are pretty well tuned in to this sort of thing.

Jonathan Duffy
Kinloch Farm.


> On Aug 16, 2015, at 12:49 PM, Marc Imlay <ialm at erols.com> wrote:
> 
>  
> Who can help David? 
>  
> Marc
>  
> From: David and Candy [mailto:svendeavor at gmail.com <mailto:svendeavor at gmail.com>] 
> Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2015 9:39 AM
> To: invasives at mdflora.org <mailto:invasives at mdflora.org>
> Subject: Canadian Thistle in Deale
>  
> My name is David Masters and I am a retired natural resource manager from the west coast.  Invasive species issues were a subject I dealt with for several decades as part of my job.
>  
> I was recently at the Anne Arundel County Library in Deale (which is a wonderful library) and discovered a HUGE Canadian thistle in their landscape plantings, right out front where everyone can see it.  This sucker is at least six feet tall and very robust.  I went in and mentioned to the staff that this was a very invasive species and should be removed before it flowered.  They informed me that no, this was milkweed and they were very proud of their efforts to further butterfly survival.  
>  
> So, two problems:
> 1)      The library staff have misidentified this plant (their landscaped guy did the ID) and are spreading erroneous information about invasive plants to their patrons.  Their hearts are in the right place and they generally do a great job, but they are working with bad info and are telling anyone that asks that this noxious invasive plant is milkweed and should be protected whenever possible.
> 2)      This plant is huge, having been well cared for, and is about to go to seed.  The first bloom opened yesterday and there are a very large number of flowers getting ready to open.  I have seen no other thistles in this area and would like to see it stay that way.
>  
> I’ve tried in person to re-educate them with no luck, after all I’m just a walk in and their gardener assures them this is milkweed.  I’ve written to the head librarian with my concerns and suggested they consult with a botanist and have received no response.  The plant will start seeding later this week given the hot dry weather we are having. 
>  
> Would you please forward this email or put me in contact with someone in the area who might be able to go by the library, educate the staff,  and get this thing out of the ground before it goes to seed.  There are a lot of fields around here and they don’t need to add this to the list of plants they are fighting.
>  
> I’d be happy to help in any way I can, but I think I’ve had my shot with educating the library staff.
>  
> I sent this email to Kerrie Kyde at DNR but she/he is out of the office till the 27th and this plant will start seeding this week. 
>  
> Thank you,
>    David Masters
>   703-667-0459
>  
> 
> 
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