Balsam Bashing

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive species which the Rangers and the Friends would like to eradicate from the reserve. In 2010 hundreds of man hours were spent pulling up plants. The results look encouraging but we need to keep at it, and to pull up the plants before they have a chance to seed.

We have now started our 2011 campaign...

A successful bash...

The best time to pull up balsam plants is before they flower. (On the left is the fulltime Ranger Jessica Mergado.)