BroomBusters volunteers are getting an earlier start on tackling the damaging invasive plant. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

pesky plant

Drought ignites earlier Scotch broom battle

Feb 17, 2024 | 5:59 AM

NANAIMO — In response to a prolonged lack of precipitation, a revised approach is being taken to combat a damaging, fast-growing invasive plant.

Joanne Sales, executive director of non-profit organization Broombusters Invasive Plant Society said their formal annual effort to remove Scotch broom from fields and roadsides is being accelerated by about month to early April.

“Scotch Broom has high oil content and a lot of naturally dry branches…they call it a ladder fuel, it is highly flammable,” Sales told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Scotch Broom growing in and near urbanized settings is of particular concern to many people, including their devoted volunteers, Sales said.

She noted BroomBusters volunteers will be assigned to the Nanaimo Parkway this weekend.

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Allegedly purposely set fires torched several areas along the Nanaimo Parkway near the Northfield Rd. exit last July.

“Scotch broom is on the top of the list of Fire Smart highest risk flammable plants. These are plants you do not want near your home.”

Citing a recent study done for the Invasive Species Council of BC, Sales said Scotch broom was found to be the leading invasive species causing the greatest harm to at-risk plants and animals.

“It’s the top offender of biodiversity, that’s in all of B.C.”

Scotch Broom chokes out native plants, severely impacting the ability of native trees to re-grow. (Broombusters Invasive Plant Society)

While preventing Scotch broom from choking out local plants and animals is a tall order, Sales said noticeable successes have been realized within municipal boundaries.

She said it’s important to cut the invasive plant at ground-level.

“…so that the roots of that plant dies, we don’t want to pull it because then you are disturbing the soil and the thousands of seeds that are in the ground will then sprout.”

Sales encouraged people interested in helping to remove Scotch broom to participate in organized community cuts on Vancouver Island, as well as Powell River and Coquitlam.

More information on BroomBusters can be found here.

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