Saturday, July 24, 2010

Giant Hogweed

More on Giant Hogweed from OMAFRA...
Giant hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum (which has been documented in Ontario since 1949) is distinguished by its huge size, its very large, compound leaf blades, its tall, thick, hollow, often sharply roughened stems, and its large flat-topped compound inflorescence with white flowers and large, flat fruits with prominent dark-coloured oil tubes. Flowering inflorescences are often heavily infested by aphids. Please see the following webpage from WeedInfo.ca for additional information: http://www.weedinfo.ca/weed.php?w=HERMZ

Ministry staff is aware of the significance of giant hogweed from a human health and invasiveness perspective. OMAFRA is working with the University of Guelph and several municipalities across the province to identify best management practices for giant hogweed

Giant Hogweed identification videos are now located on the OMAFRA website home page as well as at the following links:

* http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/insects/weeds.html
* http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/ontweeds/giant_hogweed.htm

What do to if you suspect giant hogweed:

1. Have the suspected plant properly identified. (Over half of the submissions that OMAFRA receives is from clients claiming they have Giant Hogweed, and are not Giant Hogweed.)
* Proper identification can be obtained by submitting a photo via www.weedinfo.ca

2. Once confirmed, send the location of the sighting to:
* Invasive Species Tracking System that is coordinated in part by the Ministry of Natural Resources. It can be found at http://www.comap.ca/its/
* your local municipality to inform them of the sighting

3. Landowner’s can purchase glyphosate products (i.e. Roundup) to control weeds that are poisonous to the touch, such as poison ivy, wild parsnip and giant hogweed. Homeowner’s and municipalities that are concerned about Giant Hogweed and wish to manage the plant do not need a noxious weed designation to do so.

* Please note: Giant hogweed can be a serious health hazard for humans. Its watery, clear sap contains photosensitizing compounds (furanocoumarins), which, when in contact with human skin and in combination with UV radiation, can cause burning. Content varies depending on plant part, but contact should be avoided at all times.

If you have been exposed to this plant, if is often suggested that you wash affected area immediately, avoid direct exposure to sunlight and seek medical advice.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Ontario Truck Driving Championships 2010

The Ontario Truck Driving Championships 2010 has gone down in the history books as another successful event.

The weather was very cooperative but just barely for Friday. I was chairing the Mayor's Reception which was to flow indoors and out. After checking Google weather maps I gave the go ahead at 3:30 to keep to our original arrangements. It was very humid but no more rain.

Troy's Diner did an excellent job on the reception food and was an great help with the arrangements. The evening went really well, although Penny Rabishaw, president of the Ontario Truck Driving Championships, didn't make it to the reception. Her first grandchild was born that same evening!

Saturday was a brilliant day for the championships which took place at Mohawk Racetrack. And what a show it was - 2 women took top honours. I will post a link for the winners when they are available.

Mohawk Racetrack personnel provided an excellent meal. Jim Kenzie was great as the emcee - Great job, Jim! It was a nice evening, enjoyed by all.

It takes over 60 volunteers to work the various components of the event - Click here for pictures of some of the volunteers. There are no paid employees, it`s all volunteers administrators as well.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Giant Hogweed

Avoid this dangerous weed - it can be hazardous to your health. It's in Milton and surrounding areas. It can cause blindness, either temporarily or permanently.
Hogweed is regulated as a federal noxious weed by the U.S. Government, but not so in Ontario.

Click here for a picture.

Toxic, invasive weed hits eastern Ontario
Thu Jul 8, 4:35 PM

OTTAWA (CBC) - Biologists and health officials in eastern Ontario are scrambling to contain an invasive plant that can cause blindness and severe burns.

heracleum mantegazzianum, or giant hogweed, is a poisonous plant most recently found growing in Renfrew County, west of Ottawa.

"The concern is it's a very poisonous plant, in the sense that if you get any of the sap from this plant on your skin, it can cause severe blistering and very bad burns," said Jeff Muzzi, manager of forestry services for Renfrew County.

"If you should happen to get the sap in your eyes, it can blind you either temporarily or permanently."

He said the burns can cause permanent scarring and any areas affected will be sensitive to sunlight for many years.

"It [exposure] could be inadvertent," Muzzi said.

"You might not even know it's here, [just] walk into it and happen to break a leaf. The next thing you know, you've got these nasty burns."

He said it can take up to 48 hours after exposure for symptoms to appear.

This is the first time giant hogweed has appeared in Renfrew County, Muzzi said, though it has been found in the western provinces and southwestern Ontario.

"It spreads primarily by seeds," he said.

"Seeds can be carried by vehicles, by people, by winds it could be a bird. It could be any reason at all and I think every plant will produce something to the tune of 500,000 seeds, so the spread potential is pretty big."

The plant can grow up to six metres tall, with leaves as big as 1.5 metres across. It is identified by large purple blotches or striping on its stem.

To stop giant hogweed from spreading further, crews in Renfrew County are embarking on a weed-whacking campaign.

Officials also plan to send out brochures warning residents how to spot giant hogweed. Anyone who sees one of the plants is asked to contact their municipality.