Curling

Noxious weeds are extremely invasive non-native plants that compete and eventually kill off native plants. Colorado is now home to many noxious weeds, you can find them on almost anywhere including your favorite hike, ski trail and even golf course. Their seeds are carried by factors including birds, animals, wind and even people.

Pictured here is a patch of Canada Thistle along the first hole that is beginning to lose the battle against the Vail GCM department. Thistle is hard to miss, especially if you are looking for a golf ball among these plants. These massive plants can grow very quickly, they have thorns all over and are a nuisance to handle.

A strict chemical program is the most efficient way to eradicate these weeds. We have been spraying them each summer with increasing success. Attacking thistle is best before the plant begins to flower. Alternatives to spraying include pulling or digging up the plants. This can be difficult because if you are unable to remove the entire root system, the plants will sprout again.

Chemicals we use attack the plant from the leaf blades through the entire root system. Some of the other major noxious weeds we continue to battle are oxeye daisies, yellow toadflax, purple loosestrife, and absinthe.