Category Archives: Invasive species

Testing Herbicide Treatments for Butter and Eggs

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Clara Barton

Butter and Eggs (Linaria vulgaris) is a rhizomatous perennial invasive plant capable of spreading through extensive underground root systems. This systems can make it very difficult to get rid of. The herbicide we were applying on it was proving ineffective. In this post we look into different treatment methods to tackle this weed to help improve future management decisions. Continue reading →

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Testing Herbicide Options for Dahurian Lespedeza Control

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Clara Barton

With the goal of analyzing which herbicides are effective at treating Dahurian lezpedeza, Invasive Species Researcher, Clara Barton conducts field tests. She tests Garlon 3A, Milestone, and Journey to help inform future management decisions. Continue reading →

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Testing Follow-Up Treatments for Honeysuckle Resprouts

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Clara Barton

Basal bark treatment is one of the most effective methods for controlling invasive Amur honeysuckle, but it is not unusual to find treated shrubs that continue producing living shoots for weeks or even months after treatment. Should these plants be left alone to die from the original treatment? Or should they be sprayed with a follow up treatment? During the summer of 2026, I tested two follow-up herbicide treatments on surviving honeysuckle resprouts to determine whether additional treatment could improve control and reduce the risk of long-term survival. Continue reading →

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Does Yellow Sweet Clover Resprout After Mowing?

Posted on August 27, 2026 by Clara Barton

Does yellow sweet clover resprout after mowing? The short answer is yes, but the story doesn’t end there. By tracking mowed plants at Nachusa Grasslands throughout the summer, this project found that early regrowth did not lead to long-term survival, offering practical insights on the effectiveness of mowing. Continue reading →

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Sericea Lespedeza Control – Summer Burning and Herbicide Treatments

Posted on August 20, 2026 by jmasonfpdwc

By: Barbara Sherwood and Julianne Mason, Forest Preserve District of Will County, IL Key Takeaways A late-August prescribed fire killed all mature sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) plants where the fire burned with at least moderate intensity. Herbiciding the base of … Continue reading →

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Are Two Sweeps Enough? Conversations with the Crew

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Clara Barton

By: Every summer, Nachusa’s field crew spends long days walking through prairie vegetation searching for birdsfoot trefoil. At first glance, it sounds simple enough. Find the plant. Spray the plant. Move on. But birdsfoot trefoil rarely cooperates. Some plants flower … Continue reading →

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Comparison of Transline and Milestone-Based Treatment for Birdsfoot Trefoil Control

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Clara Barton

Invasive Species Researcher Clara Barton sets out to determine which herbicide treatment is most effective for treating Birdsfoot Trefoil. Continue reading →

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Comparing Herbicide Treatments for Bouncing Bet in a Grassland Restoration

Posted on July 30, 2026 by Clara Barton

A small field trial at Nachusa Grasslands found that adding a surfactant dramatically improved the effectiveness of Telar XP when treating bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis). While both Crossbow and Telar XP plus surfactant provided strong short-term control, continued monitoring will determine which treatment offers the best long-term suppression of this rhizomatous invasive plant. Continue reading →

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Nachusa Grasslands Invasive Plant Monitoring Technician

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Grassland Restoration Network blog

By Clara Barton Hello, my name is Clara Barton, I am the new Invasive Plant Monitoring Technician for Nachusa Grasslands. I recently received my master’s degree in ecology with a dissertation focused on studying the spatial biodiversity of grasslands. I … Continue reading →

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Post-Burn Basal Bark Treatments: A Game Changer for Invasive Shrub Control

Posted on May 14, 2026 by jmasonfpdwc

By: Julianne Mason, Forest Preserve District of Will County Over the past decade, we’ve consistently found basal bark herbicide treatment to be the most efficient and effective way to control invasive shrubs. In fact, we now use basal bark treatments … Continue reading →

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