Re: the letter Invasives overrun Mt. Douglas summit in the Nov. 8 Saanich News. Mr. Poje says that he and a host of volunteers are clearing the park from several invasive species of harmful plants. He states that they have pulled ivy, holly, daphne and blackberry bushes.
When my daughter was in Grade 5, I believe her class had a day trip, with several parent chaperones, to pull ivy from the vase of the large trees. I had seen what ivy can do to normal trees, and we did our turn to get rid of this plague on the tall majestic trees. But he also says that they are attempting to get rid of broom bush. To this I say: stop.
Now why would I want him and his crew to stop pulling up the broom, because of what will come in and take its place. Out in Rocky Point many years ago, there was a huge broom bush pull to get rid of it from the military training area. Nowadays we all wish the broom were back.
Another invasive species took its place: gorse bush. This plant is far worse than the broom. It has thorns that can grow to two centimetres in length. Since the gorse has moved in, attempts to get rid of this have all failed.
You cannot get through an area that has gorse, all trails are now closed. At least with broom, other than the allergies for a few weeks, you can at least access all the paths. Please Mr. Poje, learn from out mistake, leave the broom alone.
Trent Lum
Saanich