Annual Weed List Hearing set for Feb. 14 by weed board

Last updated Feb 02, 2012 12:0pm0

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RETIRED. Sue Sackmann presented Herman Harder with a plaque in recognition of 27 years of service and dedication to the Adams County Noxious Weed Board. Harder, a member of the board from its start in 1984, has recently resigned. He also represented this region on the State Noxious Weed Board for many years. –Photo courtesy of Marilyn Sielaff

The Adams County Noxious Weed Control Board will host its Annual Weed List Hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 1 p.m. in the Weed Board Office. The meeting is open for public comment.

All Class A weeds must be added to the county list according to RCW 17.10. This year there is one addition, Oriental clematis, Clematis orientalis. This species is capable of forming dense infestations, which can out compete native shrubs and ground covers. It is currently found in Yakima County. A native species, Western White Clematis, is found in Adams County.

One Class C weed is being considered. It is Tree of Heaven, Ailanthus altissima. It is in the Sumac Family and is currently found in Grant County around Moses Lake. When the leaves are crushed, they smell like peanut butter. It is being sold as an ornamental. This is a fast growing tree that spreads by suckering roots and producing an abundance of seed – usually up to 325,000 seeds per tree. It also leaches a variety of allelochemicals into the soil that has toxic affects on other vegetation.

More information on all noxious weeds can be found on the state website, http://www.nwcb.wa.gov and also at the County Noxious Weed Board Office. The Pacific Northwest Weed Management Handbook ‘Control of Problem Weeds’ has been updated; http://pnwhandbooks.org/weed/other-times/control-problem-weeds.

Herman Harder, past chairman of the County Noxious Weed Control Board, resigned after serving 27 years.

Harder also served on the State Noxious Weed Control Board. The County Commissioner’s have appointed Branden Spencer to fill the position.