Please join us for the 17th in a series of events this year to remove Himalayan balsam from the banks of the Avoch Burn. Today's target area will be south of the burn. If you have wellies you can cross the burn below the given trailhead (we can guide you there if you arrive at the beginning of the event). If not, you can park along Station Road and scramble down a steep bank at the end of the cul de sac before crossing the field which has been cut already.
When: Thursday, 20th August, 11:00 to 13:00.
At the parking coordinates there is space for several vehicles. If you're new to this, we'll be on hand to show you what Himalayan balsam looks like and where to stack it. It is very easy to identify and also easy to pull out of the ground.
Expect uneven terrain, overgrown trails, a few fallen trees to climb over or walk around, some boggy areas (especially after rain) and nettles. But it's a lovely peaceful area by the burn. Not many muggles come down here. Due to the difficult terrain this event is not suitable for children or dogs.
The plant is quite juicy (but not toxic) so you might want to wear gloves. We highly recommend wellies. We'll be working from 11:00 to at least 13:00, but you don't have to stay for the whole duration of the event.
Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a highly invasive plant which was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the early 19th century. It has since spread along many rivers and canals and outcompeted many native plants. The seed pods explode when touched by animals or strong wind; this way the seeds are flung several metres from its parent. The seeds are also transported downstream by water or carried to new areas in the soles of shoes and feet of animals. The roots are quite shallow, which means that where Himalayan balsam grows in large numbers, the riverbanks are becoming more prone to erosion. When riverbanks erode, more fine sediment enters the water. This damages habitats, harms wildlife, and even changes the shape and structure of rivers.
Luckily the shallow roots of Himalayan balsam make it fairly easy to pull out of the ground, and this is what we are going to do during the balsam bash events. The seeds can survive in the ground for up to 5 years, so it is important to revisit known infested sites regularly and to keep removing as many plants as possible. The control period usually runs from May until the seed pods start to appear in the summer. The goal is to prevent the plant from spreading seeds. It is an annual plant, unlike the equally invasive Japanese knotweed which is a perennial that spreads via rhizomes as well as seeds. It is illegal to move Himalayan balsam without special permission, so we'll stack the plants on beds made of dry branches, or hang them into trees around GZ, to make sure the roots don't get into contact with soil again. It is recommended that whenever you walk through an infested area, you check your shoes (and dogs' paws) for seeds to avoid carrying them elsewhere. The Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) have a member who lives locally and who has provided us with advice.