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Identification
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Effect on animals
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More info?
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Control methods
│Using
pesticides │Disclaimer
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  Sweet briar
(Rosa rubiginosa) is a native of Europe. A member of the rose family, it
was introduced into Australia
by early white settlers because of its attractive flowers. Widely planted, it
is now well established particularly in the cooler, high rainfall areas of
New South Wales.
Sweet
briar is spread by fruit-eating animals and birds. Seed material is also
spread by floodwaters. Sweet briar is very invasive – the thorny plants can
severely reduce a property’s stock-carrying capacity.
  EFFECT ON ANIMALS
The main
problem with sweet briar is its invasiveness. It takes over shaded areas first
(where the birds and animals drop the seeds) and keeps spreading. When you look
at the photo (right) of a large, fruiting plant, it is easy to see how
easily the plants keep spreading. And, of course, property boundary fences don't
keep the birds in!
IDENTIFICATION
  Sweet briar
is a rose bush. It is a thorny plant, producing white or pink flowers during late
spring. The fruit, shown in the photograph at right, matures in late summer and
is shed in autumn. Each fruit contains a large
number of seeds – the seeds can remain viable in the ground for up to four
years.
MORE
INFORMATION:
Includes Noxious Plants of Australia, by Parsons and Cutherbertson (Inkata Press).
CONTROL
METHODS
Non-Chemical Options:
Plants can
be removed by hand grubbing or removal with a tractor and chain if the ground is
wet. Repeated cultivation is effective because ploughing eventually takes care
of most of the root system.
Grazing
management using sheep or particularly goats can be an effective means of
controlling sweet briar.
According
to NSW DPI’s excellent booklet “Noxious and Environmental Weed
Control Handbook 3rd Edition”, treatments for sweet briar include:
|
Chemical options |
Rate:
Spot/Boom |
Comments |
|
Triclopyr
300 g/L+picloram
100 g/L Various trade names eg Grazon
DS® |
500 ml in 100 L of water |
Full leaf to ripe fruit prior to leaf fall. |
Triclopyr
240 g/L+picloram
120 g/L
Access® |
1.0 L in 60 L of diesel |
Apply as basal bark/cut stump
application |
|
Triclopyr
600 g/L
Various
trade names |
1.0 L
in 30 L of diesel |
Apply as basal bark/cut stump
application |
|
2,4-D
300 g/L
+ picloram
240 g/L
eg Tordon
75 D® |
650 ml
in 100 L of water |
Full leaf as an overall spray |
|
Metsulfuron-methyl
200 g/kg
+ picloram 240 g/L Crossbow® |
30 g part A plus 150 mL part B in 100 L water |
Foliar application. Apply when bushes are actively growing |
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Glyphosate 360 g/L
Various trade names |
1.5 to
2.0 L in 100 L of water |
Spray to wet all foliage, from late flowering to leaf
fall. Use higher rate on bushes over 1.5 m high. |
|
Metsulfuron-methyl
Various trade names |
10 g in 100 L of water |
Apply to actively growing bushes to point of run off.
Do not apply after end of February |
|
Metsulfuron-methyl 10 g/kg + glyphosate
835 g/kg
Trounce® |
1 measured pack (173 g) in 100 L water |
Apply as close to the flowering period as possible |
|
Metsulfuron-methyl 63.2 g/kg + glyphosate
760.5 g/kg
Cut-out® |
1 measured pack (95 g) in 100 L water |
Apply as close to the flowering period as possible |
|
Hexazinone
eg Velpar L® |
Undiluted
(4 ml
per spot) |
One spot per metre of height.
Do not apply near desirable trees. |
Picloram 45 g/kg
Vigilant® |
Undiluted |
Cut stump/stem injection application. Apply a 3–5 mm layer
of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems
above 20 mm (see label) |
IMPORTANT:
USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Pesticides must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and
must not be used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the
directions on the label. Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label
recommendations.
DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge,
users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely
is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate
officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser.
LRT 06/09/2009
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North West Weeds
