Common Name: Border Privet
Specific Name: Ligustrum obtusifolium
Known Occurrence at Taylor Point:
Map areas: Cliffs 2H, Woodlands 3A, Woodlands 3B, Woodlands 3C, Woodlands 3D, Bridge 4A
Category: Invasive, Non-Native, Shrub
Ecological Considerations:
Border Privet grows as a shade-tolerant, tall shrub or small tree. It can reach heights of 30 feet or taller, often in dense thickets along forest edges, in disturbed areas, and across rights-of-way. It has smooth bark and slender twigs. Border Privet does not favor dry soils and it is shade tolerant. It reproduces by root-sprouting and through abundant seed production. The plant produces clusters of small white flowers in spring which give way to an abundance of dark purple berries in the fall. Its seeds are spread by birds and animals.
Problems Posed by this Plant: Border Privet invades recently disturbed habitats and once a stand is mature and established, it can dominate and outcompete the understory species. Thus it can rapidly degrade native communities by establishing dense monospecific stands that dominate the native shrubs and shade out herbaceous plants, altering species composition and community structure.
Native Species Affected by this Plant:
Factors Affording a Competitive Advantage to this Plant: Border Privet grows quickly and densely and can adapt to a wide range of light conditions. It reproduces both vegetatively and by seed propagation producing seeds that are easily dispersed by wind and animals. Its seeds can easily colonize disturbed soil and once established, it matures quickly, which allows for a short generation cycle and even greater seed dispersal. The roots of Border Privet can form root suckers and thus reproduce vegetatively. Its capacity for vegetative reproduction makes privet difficult and costly to control because root fragments left in the soil can sprout and grow new plants.
Propagation Mechanisms and Related Issues Affecting Efforts to Remove and/or Eliminate this Plant from Taylor Point:
A notably important aspect of controlling Border Privet concerns managing the sprouting that often occurs subsequent to initial control treatments. Control methods that remove or damage aboveground stems, such as mechanical cutting or prescribed burning, can encourage sprouting. Careful monitoring and repeated treatments may be necessary to eliminate sprouting stems.
Documented Best Removal Practices and Options/Pros and Cons of Various Options:
Seedlings can be removed by hand-pulling or with the help of a weed wrench. However, the entire root system must be extracted to prevent sprouting. Established seedlings become increasingly difficult to hand-pull because of their strong root system. Mowing and/or cutting can prevent seed production. Repeated cutting may eventually eradicate privet.
Stems larger than 1 inch in diameter may be most easily controlled by cutting close to ground level and applying herbicides to the cut stumps. Cutting stems without accompanying herbicide treatment will likely promote growth from sprouting. Even with repeated follow-up cutting, mechanical control alone may be difficult. Buckthorn Baggies can be placed over cut stumps to deter re-sprouting.
Case Studies of Removal Efforts, Lessons Learned and Recommendations:
Additional Photos:
Sources cited:
U S Forest Service
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England
Wiki Privet
Wiki Invasive Privet
Suzanne Enser, TPRA CRMC Permit Request Support paper
Key Words:
Shrub;
Border Privet
Ligustrum obtusifolium
Seed – Berries / Drupes;
Vegetative – Root sprouting;
Taylor Point Cliffs
Black Cherry Woodland
Bridge
2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A