Removing Blackberries, and Replanting Afterwards
How to get it right
Permit Approval
The association has permit approval to remove Himalayan blackberries, and other select noxious invasive species*, from the wetlands buffers (the area beyond the split rail fence) in order to prevent them from out-competing native plants and from growing into the residents’ yards.
However the permit does have conditions, including replanting the affected area.
* Click on the "Here's The List" button below to see a list of removable noxious plants
Doing the Work
All work is to be done with hand tools and herbicide is not permitted. Afterwards, all material must be hauled offsite. You may cut blackberries as far back as necessary, as long as plants are replaced with native plantings. You'll find helpful replanting guidelines below.
The Process
- Start with cutting back blackberry canes by hand to access the root
- Pile canes on a tarp or other means of easily transporting them offsite
- Remove as much of the root as possible - digging is allowed
- Shake off the soil from the root to ensure no soil leaves the site.
- Repeat cutting back canes and digging roots as they grow during the year
- All invasive plants removed must be hauled offsite
- Apply wood chip mulch to areas left bare by root removal.
- You can plant native shrubs such as snowberry, ocean spray, service berry, and black twinberry
There's One More Step...
Replanting Guidelines from The City of Bellingham
After the Blackberries, what's next?
So, you have removed the blackberries or other noxious weeds that have been behind your residence. The next step is to replant the area with native plants, which can lead to some questions. What native plants are allowed? How much do you replant? Are other steps required? The silver lining about proper replanting is that there are over two hundred plants considered "native" by the City of Bellingham that you can use to spruce up the area.
Here is a link to a list from the City of native plants that are approved for replanting in the cleared area.
The density of replanting varies depending if the area is already vegetated with native plants. In that situation, the Planning Department recommends filling in with natives to achieve the three canopy layers:
- Ground Cover
- Shrubs
- Trees
For areas that are completely devoid of plants, the standard is:
- 5-foot center for ground cover
- 8-foot centers for shrubs
- 10- to 15-foot centers for trees
Mulch or bark is required in the cleared area. The purpose of mulch is to prevent erosion, keep moisture in the soil, help keep invasive plants out, and to provide some nutrients to the soil. The term mulch can refer to many different products.
Here is a link to a list of providers of low-phosphorus mulch the City requires in the Lake Whatcom watershed. You'll find there is a wide range of products with different looks, functions, and costs. Keep in mind, mulch does NOT include beauty bark or colored bark. A favored approach is to use wood chips from tree limbs that have been chipped.
Other things to keep in mind...native plants in the conservation easement area do require some maintenance. The plants grow and spread, which means they need to be pruned at the conservation easement edge. Also, birds and other wildlife are particularly vulnerable in the springtime breeding and nesting season, so please be mindful of that with regard to loud activities and pets.
Your help and follow through will greatly help our wetlands!
