Publication of Weed Control in Natural Areas of the Western United States now available

  While there are several publications that provide information on the management of weeds in agricultural systems, there is currently no comprehensive book that provides control options for invasive and weedy species in natural areas. However, the first such book is now available.  Weed Control in Natural Areas in the Western United States was published by the Weed Research and Information Center at the University of California and can be purchased in California from the California Invasive Plant Council or directly at this link CLICK HERE. The book covers non-chemical and chemical control options for about 340 species of weeds that invade or cause problems in wildland and natural areas, rangelands, grasslands, pastures, riparian and aquatic areas. The scope of the book is the 13 western states that include Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The species chosen were those that were on the state noxious weed lists of the western states, as well as other non-crop weeds that are frequently problematic in natural areas of the western United States. Within the book there are control options in full write-ups for 242 species, with a little under 100 additional species included in a susceptibility table only, with both non-chemical and chemical options. While the bulk of the text is dedicated to providing control options, it also includes additional information on the variety of control techniques and equipment used in natural areas, as well as safety and environmental considerations, herbicide characteristics, rainfast periods and grazing and haying restrictions for terrestrial herbicides, a list of species with biological control agents either available or under development, and helpful conversion tables. The chemical control options include the recommended rate, timing and any helpful remarks or cautions.  There are some instances when the data for control was lacking on the particular species, but through inference with a very closely related species, it includes options the authors feel should be effective.