Throughout the American West, there is a growing loss of habitat for wildlife. Mountain Springs Ranch is fortunate to still have abundant wildlife and remarkable biodiversity. Key to keeping our wildlife habitat healthy is to never introduce non-native grasses, trees or shrubs into the area and to manage infestations of invasive and noxious weeds.
Mountain Springs Ranch HOA spends a considerable amount each year to manage specific weeds that sprout along the roadsides where the soil is disturbed by plowing and auto tires carry in weed seeds. Each landowner can help by promptly seeding disturbed areas which create a welcoming environment for weeds, or in areas where there are not weeds present, you can leave the disturbed areas and it will naturally revegetate with native plants.
While the HOA takes care of the common rights-0f-way, each property owner is responsible for vegetation management on their property. If you have questions or need professional vegetation assessment and management, here are some places to go for information.
RESOURCES
Garfield County Vegetation Management
Noxious weed law and weed list, cost share information for managing noxious weeds and help identifying weeds on your property.
Colorado State University Extension Service
Variety of publications on noxious and invasive weeds, native plants and their management.
Rivendell Distribution and Sod Farm, Glenwood Springs
“Pitkin County Seed Mix” is the recommended native grass mixture for reseeding natural areas.
For areas disturbed by driveway construction, building or other activity, please reseed only with the Pitkin County seed mix available at Rivendell Farm in Glenwood Springs. This mix was developed for reclamation projects in Pitkin County to mimic the native grass combinations that grow at around 8,000 feet elevation, the same as MSR. It is recommended by the Director of Vegetation Management for Garfield County.
Outdoor Services of Western Colorado
This is the company the HOA uses for
management of weeds in common areas.
Aspen Tree Service
This company is very good with
all types tree and shrub issues.
TREES
Beetle infestations have devasted many of Colorado’s lodgepole, pinion, Douglas fir and spruce forests. Pheromones are effective for the prevention of beetle infestation in Douglas fir and spruce trees when placed on trees in early spring. Douglas fir beetles are particularly pervasive on the south and west borders on MSR, as well and the hillside forest across Three Mile Creek in the lower part of the main access road.
MCH Bubble Caps and MCH Flakes are pheromone repellent for Douglas-fir and Spruce Beetles.
Douglas-fir and Spruce beetle repellents use MCH – a naturally occurring anti-aggregation pheromone of the Douglas-fir and Spruce beetles. In U.S. Forest Service studies, MCH has proven highly effective in protecting living trees from attack. It is also used to prevent the build-up of populations on logs, stumps, and fallen trees. MCH sends a message that the tree is full and that beetles should look elsewhere for a suitable host.
How
does MCH work? Beetles and other insects communicate
using pheromones. MCH replicates the beetle pheromone that tells other beetles
the tree is full and that the food supply is insufficient for additional
beetles. Arriving beetles receive the ‘message’ that they should look elsewhere
for a suitable host.
How
safe is MCH? MCH is considered environmentally safe
and non-toxic to humans, pets, birds and even the beetles themselves. Always
follow the instructions provided.
Place on trees over 8″ in diameter on the north face of trees 6-12 feet in height. Place in grid pattern with 32-foot centers. Re-application of pheromones recommended annually.
Contact Jerry Fedrizzi, gjfedrizzi@gmail.com for pheromone info/help.
Forest Distributing https://www.forestrydistributing.com
WEEDS
Most common and invasive weeds found at Mountain Springs ranch
Found mainly along the roadways, the most effective control is to dig up Cheatgrass in the spring after plants are established. Mowing reduces seed production and spreading when the stand is mowed within one week after flowering but doesn’t kill the plant.
Scentless chamomile reproduces only by seed, with individual plants capable of producing more than 300,000 seeds a year. Hand pulling small areas is the most effective method of control. Mowing reduces seed production somewhat but the plant flowers low to the ground.
Hand pulling is the most effective means of eradication. It is a biennial and can be dug or root sliced off during the first year; or blossom and/or seedhead removed during second year. Plant dies after two years, is spread by seed.
Sweet Clover is extremely invasive and drains the soil of nutrients while crowding out native plants. Pulling and digging are the most effective means of control and it is critical to remove plants before they set seed and spread.