Pulling a problem: Noxious weeds a C. Oregon target

Noxious weeds are a major problem in Central Oregon – perhaps more than you think.

“They just overgrow everything — they just take over, and it’s just so hard to get rid of them. Pulling often doesn’t work,” said Julie Craig, code enforcement officer at the city of Bend Public Works Department.

Along with overrunning native vegetation and destroying ecosystems, infesting crops, poisoning wildlife and hurting property values, noxious weeds can also pose fire risks.

“If noxious weeds continue to grow then eventually here in the middle of the summer they will die, and then they become a fire hazard because then they are dead and dry and usually large,” Craig said Tuesday.

Three common noxious weeds are, Dalmation toadflax, Spotted Knapweed and orange hawkweed. They’re often seen in vacant lots or construction zones.

These big lots can help aid in spreading the noxious weed seeds said Aaron Zuniga, of Green Leaf Garden Center. “A lot of people just don’t really address their whole property. It’s usually just the focal landscape up front and big properties with big fields. Wind can really carry that.”

One major issue is the decision whether to pull or to spray.

City officials say sometimes spraying herbicides is necessary when weeds get too big or too widespread.

Others, including the Green Leaf Garden Center, say pulling or natural spays are a much better method.

The city of Bend and Deschutes County want you to keep an eye on your weeds — and if any crop up, to get them removed as soon as you can. Failure to do so could bring a major fine.

For more information on noxious weeds and this Saturday’s “Let’s Pull Together” event, visit: https://letspulltogether.com/