Russian Olive Management
Curtis Deuser1
1National Park Service, 702-293-8979, Boulder City, NV, USA; curt_deuser@nps.gov
Information included in this presentation is based on a compilation of 28 years of practical experience involving tamarisk and Russian olive control at multiple sites in several western states. Some information is based on experimental studies and then applied broadly across numerous implementation project sites over two decades forming a large spatial and temporal sample size. Various woody perennial tree control methods and slash management options are described including pros and cons based on various factors. Tamarisk control methods are well established and standardized with generally more consistent results compared to Russian olive control. Some plot work and experience has found that frill cut (or hack and squirt) method using high concentrations of glyphosate produces very good control results on Russian olive, and is less labor intensive compared to cut stump method. As the tamarisk leaf beetle becomes well established and continues to suppress tamarisk it is important to shift management prioritization to other species such as Russian olive in order to prevent its increase.