Caithness Volunteers Get Giant Hogweed Under Control

6th May 2014

Members of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers, with direction from John Parrott from Coille Alba, undertook control measures on Giant Hogweed along the Wick riverside last weekend.

Growing to 20 feet high, this impressive plant was once planted in gardens but has become a problematic invasive species in Britain, particularly along river banks. The plant is detrimental to other native species but is also a concern to people as it contains toxic chemicals which can cause blistering and burns.

Scottish Natural Heritage employed John Parrott to undertaken spraying of the plant last year and with help of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers has been monitoring and controlling new growth. On Sunday the group concentrated their efforts around the two hot spot zones at Bilbster and Lower Gillock where the root taps of young plants were severed.

Marina Swanson, The Highland Council’s Countryside Ranger and event organiser said: “A big thank you goes out to John and our volunteers who gave up their Sunday to help with this project. At present, we believe the population along the Wick riverside can be controlled and we are appealing to members of the public to keep an eye out for new plants which we may have missed.”

The Caithness Countryside Volunteers are a group organised through The Highland Council’s Countryside Rangers and are always looking for new members. If you wish to find out more about the group or wish to report a record of Giant Hogweed along the Wick Riverside, please contact Marina Swanson on 01955604588 or e-mail marina.swanson[AT]highland.gov.uk

PHOTO
John Parrott (2nd from right) is pictured with the volunteers tackling Giant Hogweed along Wick riverside