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<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> npwg@aweber.com [mailto:npwg@aweber.com]
<B>On Behalf Of </B>Native Plants Wildlife Gardens<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday,
March 20, 2013 6:33 AM<BR><B>To:</B> Marc and Alice Imlay<BR><B>Subject:</B>
Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens - More Findings on the Link Between Japanese
Barberry and Lyme Disease<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><BR><U><SPAN style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none"><A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=dET6p0TQPeVqfcjWFADzVQ">More
Findings on the Link Between Japanese Barberry and Lyme
Disease</A></SPAN> </U><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: verdana; COLOR: #2a2a2a; FONT-SIZE: 12px">
<DIV style="WIDTH: 310px" id=attachment_22767 class="wp-caption alignleft"><IMG
class="size-medium wp-image-22767"
alt="Japanese barberry infested forest in Spring."
src="http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Infestation1-300x225.jpg"
width=300 height=225 NOSEND="1">
<P class=wp-caption-text>Japanese barberry infested forest in Spring. © Leslie
J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org</P></DIV>
<P>Recently, I attended a symposium where current research findings on <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=o8dpH25ienJXpuOofbH9lA"
target=_blank>the link between Japanese barberry <I>(Berberis thunbergii)</I>
and Lyme disease</A> were presented. Over the past few years we’ve learned that
this highly invasive non-native shrub is not only impacting our regional
ecosystems, it’s also indirectly affecting our public health. While Japanese
barberry is considered<A title="More about Japanese barberry"
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=6zWVy7wo9b00zXqRWU2oXQ"
target=_blank> invasive in at least 20 states and the District of Columbia</A>,
it is also still available for sale in many nurseries across the US.</P>
<P>According to recent studies by scientists <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=6MXiJagLDFnNWnGMEXsdAQ">Jeffrey
Ward</A> and <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=7Pr1pbixmuOJfg02TK0kPg">Scott
Williams</A> at the Connecticut Agriculture and Experiment Station (CAES)
eliminating stands of Japanese barberry from forested areas can reduce the
number of Lyme disease-infected ticks on the property by 80%.</P>
<H3><STRONG>The Problem With Japanese Barberry</STRONG></H3>
<P>Once established, Japanese barberry tolerates a wide array of site
conditions, from full sun to shade and it’s not overly picky about soil
conditions. It reproduces through seeds, rhizomes or<A
title="More info on Japanese barberry"
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=AlhQFCtca3umr_ntXLsXtw"
target=_blank> layering</A> and forms dense thickets that choke out native
wildflowers and tree saplings.</P>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 310px" id=attachment_22765 class="wp-caption alignright"><IMG
class="size-medium wp-image-22765" alt="Japanese barberry flowers"
src="http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Flowers-300x200.jpg"
width=300 height=200 NOSEND="1">
<P class=wp-caption-text>Japanese barberry flowers are prolific seed producers.
© Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org</P></DIV>
<P><I>Berberis thunbergii </I>is a prolific seed producer and it’s seeds are
estimated to have a 90% germination rate. Birds eat the seeds and carry them for
a few hundred yards, depositing them in areas where the Japanese barberry can
take hold and quickly choke out most other plants.</P>
<P>Breeding programs to develop ‘sterile’ Japanese barberry cultivars may be
misguided since past history with other <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=Wv3BYsqq35RBVTAwiNj19A">sterile
cultivars of invasive plants</A> has shown they sometimes cross-pollinate with
the wild species.</P>
<H3><STRONG>The Link Between Japanese Barberry, Ticks and Lyme
Disease</STRONG></H3>
<P>Ward and Williams’ research has shown that Japanese barberry infested
forests have approximately 120 ticks infected with the <A
title="More info on Lyme Disease"
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=P34bu.3UjNpss.2EkS8quw"
target=_blank>Lyme disease bacteria</A> per acre. Compare that to approximately
10 infected ticks per acre found in forested areas with native trees and shrubs
and no Japanese barberry.</P>
<P>It seems that stands of Japanese barberry retain humidity. And ticks need an
environment with about 80% humidity to actively feed, quest and reproduce.
By measuring humidity levels above and at ground level under the barberry
foliage, Ward and Williams found humidity levels under Japanese barberry dipped
below 80% for only one hour per day. In open, sunny areas with no Japanese
barberry, the exact opposite is true. The humidity levels rise to 80% for only
one hour each day.</P>
<P>White-footed mice, a known <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=5NIq1omCoJ08UVSXCHaTmQ">apex
host for Lyme disease</A> also thrive under the canopy of Japanese barberry. The
combination of mice and a tick population this is active almost all day long
appears to be a potent mix that is leading to a public health epidemic in many
states.</P>
<H3><STRONG>Why You Should Care</STRONG></H3>
<P>At this point, you may be thinking so what? I don’t have Japanese barberry in
my garden and I don’t live near or spend time in a forested area with lots of
Japanese barberry so how does this affect me.</P>
<P>In addition to creating the ideal environment for ticks, stands of Japanese
barberry also tend to increase the levels of nitrogen in the soil. At the same
time, the number of earthworms in the nearby soil almost doubles.</P>
<P>In our gardens, earthworms are welcome visitors. But in Japanese barberry
infested forests, they are devouring the leaf litter which should act as a
protective covering for the soil. Less leaf litter means loose soil, more
erosion, less tree regeneration and less wildflowers.</P>
<P>Nitrification and low levels of leaf litter also add to storm water run off
which affects the quality of water in our reservoirs. If you drink water, you
should care about Japanese barberry infestations.</P>
<H3><STRONG>Controlling Japanese Barberry</STRONG></H3>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 310px" id=attachment_22766 class="wp-caption alignleft"><IMG
class="size-medium wp-image-22766" alt="Japanese barberry infested forest"
src="http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Infestation-300x225.jpg"
width=300 height=225 NOSEND="1">
<P class=wp-caption-text>Japanese barberry infested forest. © Leslie J.
Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org</P></DIV>
<P>The team at CAES worked on 150 acres of land divided into 28 different study
areas. They evaluated 56 different treatment and timing combinations for
controlling Japanese barberry and found that a fairly simple two-step process is
most effective.</P>
<P>First, kill all of the plant that is above ground by cutting it down or
applying heat with a propane torch. Before you run out and buy an industrial
flame torch, please read these <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=vwsQdwI1K4YQ.VVwxMA8uQ">safety
guidelines</A> from CAES or check out this <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=HNqDt6kqc1cfEn.TlY80xA">video
on controlling barberry</A>.</P>
<P>Next, once the roots begin to push out new growth, treat this growth with
heat or a chemical herbicide. Here in Connecticut, starting this 2nd step in
mid-October seems to be ideal. The plant is already stressed so the second
attack will likely kill it. If the barberry you’re eliminating is mature, you
may need to continue step two a few more times.</P>
<P>The size of the area you’re treating, the density of the Japanese barberry
and your comfort level using propane and/or chemicals should dictate how you
actually proceed. Ward and Williams also found using a chemical herbicide worked
best for controlling plants growing in full sun.</P>
<H3><STRONG>Be Ready to Plant</STRONG></H3>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 250px" id=attachment_22773 class="wp-caption alignleft"><IMG
class=" wp-image-22773 "
alt="The flowers of dwarf witchalder, a native alternative to Japanese barberry."
src="http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DSCF5417-300x225.jpg"
width=240 height=180 NOSEND="1">
<P class=wp-caption-text>The flowers of dwarf witchalder, a native alternative
to Japanese barberry.</P></DIV>
<P>The third step in controlling Japanese barberry is to be ready to re-plant
the area with native plants. This is an important step for increasing
biodiversity.</P>
<P>If you don’t re-plant quickly then it’s quite possible other invasives will
move into the area and you will have traded one problem for another. If
deer are a problem, plant only deer-resistant natives or fence off the area.</P>
<P>Some native shrubs that are good alternatives to Japanese barberry include
highbush blueberry <I>(<A title="More info on highbush blueberry"
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=ETdnUrmytlRcZqjdF_jBzQ"
target=_blank>Vaccinium corymbosum</A></I>), New Jersey tea <I>(<A
title="More info on New Jersey tea"
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=5vEqcsyvZ_ZnE.YDHi9JrA"
target=_blank>Ceanothus americanus</A>)</I>, Vigrinia sweetspire <I>(<A
title="More info on Virginia sweetspire"
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=4GgCiOPdcC.xdD03e7KCew"
target=_blank>Itea virginica)</A>,</I> and dwarf witchalder <I>(<A
title="More info on dwarf witchalder"
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=Iv.rwnNp6JsSr_Nkv8IxEQ"
target=_blank>Fothergilla gardenii</A>).</I></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">© 2013, <A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=FWC6HVCCv1TqZ1GwvwP76w">Debbie
Roberts</A>. All rights reserved. This article is the property of Native Plants
and Wildlife Gardens. If you are reading this at another site, please report
that to us </P></SPAN>
<DIV><U><SPAN style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none"><A
href="http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=KnHIB&m=3i0qQnyqFfPiFLV&b=dET6p0TQPeVqfcjWFADzVQ">More
Findings on the Link Between Japanese Barberry and Lyme
Disease</A></SPAN> </U></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens: Healthy gardens for a healthy planet
with native plants, sustainable landscaping, ecological restoration, and
creating welcoming habitat for wildlife.<BR><BR>Thank you for reading and
sharing our journey,<BR>Carole Sevilla Brown<BR>Managing Editor </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>6362 McCallum St, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA</DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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