Cotoneaster
Botanical Name
Cotoneaster franchetii
Family
Rosaceae (rose)
Also known as
Cotoneaster franchetii Var. sternianus, Franchet cotoneaster
Where is it originally from?
China and Himalayas
What does it look like?
Evergreen shrub or small tree (<3+ m), with young shoots with pale downy hairs maturing into spreading and arching, dark reddish-brown stems that are often covered in sooty mould. Leaves (20- 35 x 7-18 mm) are shiny with soft shaggy hairs above and white-grey hairs underneath. Clusters of 7-15 small pinkish flowers (Nov-Jan) are followed by scarlet or orange berries (5-9 mm long).
Are there any similar species?
C. glaucophyllus, C. simonsii, and C. wardii are all similar.
Why is it weedy?
Produces high viability seed, matures quickly, forms dense stands that are long-lived, and outcompetes native shrub species in wide range of habitats. Very tolerant of damp and drought, hot and cold, salt and a range of soils, and is semi-shade tolerant.
How does it spread?
Birds distribute seeds widely. Hedges, roadsides, gardens, quarries and wasteland are all sources of seed.
What damage does it do?
Overtops and replaces shrub species, and prevents the establishment of native plant seedlings.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Coastline, inshore islands, dry forest and shrubland up to 300 m, forest margins, dry rangeland, bluffs, rocky sites, slips, and riverbeds.
What can I do to get rid of it?
Plan to control whole areas to minimise reseeding by birds.
1. Physical removal - Pull or dig seedlings or small plants (all year round).
2. Cut and paste: Cut the stem/trunk as close to the ground as possible and cover the entire stump with herbicide as soon as possible after cutting. Apply metsulfuron gel (10g/L strength) or picloram getl (43g/l strength) to the entire cut stem.
3. Basal spray - spray stems up to 20cm diametre with X-Tree Basal. Apply from the ground to a height of 6 times the diameter of the plant, ensure the base is thoroughly covered at ground level.
4. Foliar spray (Summer to Autumn before leaves become brittle)
Apply Metsulfuron herbicide (600g/kg active ingredient) (Knapsack 0.5g/L, or Gun and hose 20-35g/L) plus organosilicone penetrant (3ml/L) to thoroughly wet all parts of plant. Note: Metsulfuron overspray will kill other (desirable) broadleaf plants and has residual activity in the soil which aids in killing below ground parts
OR Apply Triclopyr herbicide (600g/L active ingredient) at 6ml/L plus organosilicone penetrant (1ml/L) to thoroughly wet all parts of plant.
Note: Overspray will kill other (desirable) broadleaf plants. Metsulfuron has residual activity in the soil which may leach through soil and kill other plants. Do not use under and around other (desirable) broadleaf plants.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Stumps resprout, often even after swabbing. Bared areas are reinfested by seed bank. Replant bared areas with dense groundcover or shrubs to prevent seedling regrowth.
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