Spring 2018

W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2018 |  West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 19 Barberry as Noxious IN DECEMBER, THE JOINT RULES REVIEW COMMITTEE heard reasons to categorize Barberry as a noxious plant. As a result, the Committee agreed to classify the plant as noxious in 2020; leaving nurseries a grace period to eliminate their inventories of barberry, according to a source at the WV Dept. of Agriculture. Barberry is a thorny ornamental; primarily used as a residential foundation plant. However, it has reproduced itself in the wild to the point of emburdening forestry and other woods operations. It also has been found to harbor habitat for insect pests that carry human illness. At this writing, the legislature is deliberating on a rule to address this issue.  Barberry Fact Sheet Farmers a. Chemicals are expensive b. Spraying consumes valuable time c. Reduces pasture d. Chemicals are not good for the environment e. Chemicals can negatively affect the farmer's health Foresters a. Hampers fire protection efforts b. Reduces regeneration of desirable species c. Obstacle in timber crusing and forest managment Recreationists a. Reduces area for land use b. Cost-current grant of $100,000 for control on 25 acres in Cacpon State Park taxes that are used to control a plant that we grow and plant in all areas in the state c. Same as a., b., d., and e. under Farmers Hunters and Others a. Barberry harbors the tick that spreads lime disease At the hearing at WVU, two extension specialists and two farmers from two counties testified to the spreading of this invasive plant.