I read with interest the two letters in the last two weeks about broom removal on Mount Douglas. I have participated in broom removal on Mill Hill in years past. We were not allowed to pull the broom up by the roots because it disturbs the soil and does not allow the natural flora to regrow.
What my wife and I have found is that when we cut the broom close to the ground when it is in full bloom the broom actually dies off. This is why you will not find broom growing near the parking lot at Beaver Lake or along the lakeshore due to our efforts over the last three years. We have also employed this method at Thetis Lake with great success.
There are not enough park employees to do the job, apparently, so we have taken it upon ourselves to try and rid the parks of as much broom as possible while our aged bones will allow. It is odd that people stare at us and ask what we are doing, but no offers to help. It is surprising to us that people are not aware of which plants are invasive and need to be removed.
Peter and Sandy Savage
Saanich