AVERY LAKE—Residents on a Montmorency County lake can look forward to an improved view in 2010 thanks to the local lake association. The Avery Lake Association discovered a stand of the invasive grass phragmites on the shoreline of their lake and took the initiative to learn about the dangers of invasives and address the problem before it got out of hand.

In July, Huron Pines AmeriCorps member Tim Engelhardt visited the group during an association meeting and gave a short presentation on invasive species. Invasives are plants or animals that come from another location (often another continent) and take over  an area previously occupied by native plants that evolved in that spot. In the case of Avery Lake, the invader is phragmites (Phragmites australis), a tall grass from eastern Europe that colonizes lakeshores, wetlands, and roadside ditches, crowding out other plants. Phragmites has zero wildlife value and can also block views of lakes and hamper access for hunters, boaters, and others who use the shoreline for recreation. Even the smallest piece of root or stem from this plant can start a new colony, and plants can grow from the spreading roots at a rate of over six feet per year.

While the source of the phragmites on Avery Lake is unclear, the lake association agreed that it was important to address the problem immediately, before it spread to other properties or a nearby wetland area. The best way to stop phragmites is with a combination of herbicides and cutting, which is regulated by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. 

On October 9, Huron Pines staff and members of the Avery Lake Association applied herbicide to approximately ¼ acre of phragmites using the “hand-swipe” method. This method uses less herbicide and ensures that it won’t get sprayed directly into the water or on other plants growing on the shoreline. Once the herbicide is applied, the plants absorb the poison into their leaves, stems, and roots. After about two weeks, the phragmites is dead and can be cut and disposed of. For thicker stands, re-treatments may need to occur for up to two years to completely eradicate the plant.

Funding for this project was provided by a cost-share program offered by Huron Pines through a grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Huron Pines will be offering further cost-share opportunities for removing invasive species in 2010: visit www.huronpines.org for more details.