The Coquille Watershed Association has been struggling with the problem of tree survival within the many miles of riparian “fencing and planting” projects. The biggest problem that is occurring is due to competition from invasive species such as Himalayan blackberries and canary grass. To date, the technique used to battle this problem has been the use of inmate crews to manually release the trees and replant where needed. Unfortunately, due to the large number of riparian projects the CWA completed, we are unable to use this method to keep up with the maintenance needed to help the trees to survive. Furthermore, the CWA has adopted a policy of no herbicide use to control the invasive species problem within the riparian enhancement projects.

This project is intended to test several alternative methods of invasive species control. Each method will be tracked to estimate cost, as well as effectiveness. The CWA Monitoring Coordinator set up 12 sites along a 3000 foot stretch of riparian zone along the North Fork Coquille River. A four strand barbed wire fence was constructed prior to site treatments and tree planting. The Oregon Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Guide was used to determine fence set-back (2 x bank height + 10 feet). The different site treatments will be as follows: soil treatments (myrtle mulch, salt, and lime), chemical application (Glypro), spade to transplant large trees from the hillside to the test site, Waipuna (organic hot water sprayer), DR field mower, manual release with inmates, weed mats, and goats/sheep. Each site will be heavily monitored for effectiveness, cost, and success of plantings. This work will be useful to all watershed councils, SWCD’s, and other groups dealing with this same issue. We hope to show which non-herbicide method is the most cost effective while comparing to similar sites treated with herbicides and it’s expected outcome.