3 Ways to Remove Himalayan Blackberry in Portland, Oregon
Himalayan Blackberry thrives in the rainy Pacific Northwest and, if left unchecked, will take over our property and ornamental plants. If you’ve ever found yourself entangled in a thicket of
blackberry thorns, we’re sure you agree with the sentiment that they should be scorched from the face of this earth.
On a serious note, before you head out to start hacking away, let’s talk about how to identify the non-native, invasive plant species known as the Himalayan blackberry “Rubus armeniacus” or “rubus discolor.” The Oregon Department of Agriculture provides a noxious weed list that includes Himalayan blackberries, which almost always have five leaflets with a red vine covered in thorns. Blackberries are a member of the rose family and produce white flowers that turn into tasty black fruit in the Summer months in Oregon – but don’t let this fool you! The Himalayan Blackberry also takes a toll on the environment around it.
Invasive Blackberries’ Native Look-alike
Most people don’t know that in the Pacific Northwest, there is a native blackberry often called ‘Trailing Blackberry’ or ‘Dewberry’ (Rubus Ursinus). This native berry lives as a ground cover in forests and does not grow into large, overwhelming thickets with the same vigor that the Himalayan variety would. It has a blue-to-white stem compared to the bright red stem of the Himalayan blackberry. The berries are almost identical, although the native blackberry almost always has three leaflets compared to five. For more information regarding native and non-native trees to plant in the Portland area check out our blog post titled “Native and Non-Native Tree Planting Options in Oregon.”
Growth Habits and Biology of Himalayan Blackberry
Landscape Architect and Horticultural Professor at the University of Oregon, Whitey Lueck, has described the growth habits of the Himalayan blackberry as: “If left uncontrolled, Himalayan can take over a field. This is because of its fast-growing canes that can grow up to 30 feet long over a single growing season and re-root themselves the following fall.” This relentless growth impedes the native plant’s ability to germinate and thrive. For example, native conifers like Douglas-fir, require sunlight for germination and survival as a sapling.
Unfortunately, Himalayan Blackberry creates dense thickets in the forest’s
understory, which can shade out native flora. Native birds and omnivores, like foxes and bears, also favor their delicious berries. which aids the ever-reaching spread of this invasive weed into untouched territories, making eradication a constant and laborious process. The Himalayan blackberry desires full sun and without it, its growth and fruiting are slowed. We can use this to our advantage to gain control over the spread, by planting and maintaining a shaded canopy of conifer and evergreen trees and native shrubs.
3 Techniques For Blackberry Removal
- Digging
You may wonder, how do I permanently remove blackberry bushes? We have found, over the years, that the most effective and environmentally friendly alternative to using a hash herbicide is to dig up the roots – specifically the large root crowns. Although this is quite labor intensive, it ensures that the hardy blackberry plant won’t sprout back from the root crown. This method is supported by repeated mowing or herbicide over a period of years, however, we believe it to be the most effective manner of eradicating the blackberries long-term. We recommend planting evergreen hardy natives after removal. Natives can help provide aesthetic value as well as assist in deterring invasive blackberries long term
- Herbicide application
Clearing Blackberry can also be done with herbicide, yet we have seen the plant sprout back from its roots after application. The runoff of caustic herbicides can have harmful effects on local flora and fauna as well. For this reason, we recommend using a more environmentally friendly option.
Recently, our crews were working in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where they removed invasive blackberries from a hillside. The crew then replanted the whole hillside with dr
ought-tolerant hardy natives that will out-compete non-native plants such as Oregon grape. Check out our Instagram @monkeymans_treeservice where we have a video depicting the process of installation. We would like to note that a single blackberry bush can produce well over 4,000 seeds, that’s why the battle against blackberry is ongoing and requires monthly attention.
- Mowing/Grazing
Repeated mowing and/or grazing can also be an effective way to temporarily block sprouting canes. Mowing and grazing will eventually kill the blackberry if done repeatedly over the course of multiple years. While this method can help to deter the blackberries over time by removing the canes, the most effective manner of long-term eradication remains to dig up the root crowns, as this is where most of the plant stores the majority of its energy and takes the greatest toll on its ability to continue to grow and spread.
Grazing goats are another environmentally friendly alternative to herbicides. Fortunately, goats seem to prefer the leaves of blackberry over other plants, leading them to clear a patch of brambles in a matter of days with their robust appetites.
Once cleared with the use of mowing or grazing, we recommend either hand-picking the roots of the blackberry with pick axes, For a less arduous method you can use a skid-steer to rip them out of the ground.
If grazing goats aren’t suitable for your property, you can also contact the use of a field mower to do the heavy lifting for you.
Moving Forward
If this blog hasn’t inspired you to put an end to every invasive blackberry bush in Portland, Oregon, then I at least hope it’s inspired you to minimize its impacts on your yard. We understand removing thorny blackberries can be daunting. Nevertheless, we hope to remove any blackberry from a property or landscape in the Portland area. At Monkeyman’s Tree Service, we also manage blackberries using leading scientific information. Therefore we follow Oregon State’s instructions when they state “The control methods can take several years, at least, to eradicate a large patch. Don’t take a break and let the blackberries regain their strength.” To read Oregon state’s full article on Blackberry removal, click here. After your research, if you still have questions, our lovely office staff would be happy to talk to you about any brush removal or tree questions. Please, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (503)-358-87554.