ORIGIN

China

COMMON NAME

Privet - Chinese privet

BOTANICAL NAME

Ligustrum sinense

IDENTIFICATION

Shrub or small tree to 5 m high, evergreen or semi-deciduous, shoots densely hairy. Leaf stalks hairy, leaves dull green above, hairy on midrib below, oval to 60mm. Flowers Sept-Dec. Panicles of small, white flowers. Fruit to 6 mm diameter, dull black.

HABITATS

Key communities are alluvial forest remnants, waste places, shrublands, open stream systems and particularly coastal areas. Widespread and common, especially near towns. Sometimes locally abundant. A common farm hedging plant.

IMPACT TO BIOTA AND ECOSYSTEMS

May displace the shrub tier and marginal shrubs of alluvial forests. May displace shrubs in regenerating communities and remain persistent in these areas.

DISPERSAL ROUTES, VECTORS, INFESTATION SOURCES

Originally spread from domestic hedges, dispersed by birds, and is now spreading in farm hedges, along roadsides, streamsides, wastelands and disused railway lines. They are bulking-up in these areas as well as in fenced off and unmodified forest remnants.

MANAGEMENT

Physical Control
Pull-dig out seedlings or chainsaw and treat stump.

Disposal
Compost or mulch. Timber makes average firewood.

Chemical Control
(i) Spray with Metsulfuron herbicide.

Rate - Handgun 35 g Metsulfuron + 100 mls Penetant/100 litres water. Knapsack 5 g Metsulfuron + 10 mls Penetant/10 litres water. Mistblower 10 g Metsulfuron + 10 mls Penetant/10 litres water.

(ii) Fell and treat the stump with 5gr Metsulfuron + 10ml Penetrant/ 1 litre water or 2 litres Glyphosate + 10ml Penetrant/ 10 litres water.

(iii) Stem cut and inject- Downward cut at base of trees and apply herbicide to the point of runoff immediately after cuts have been made. 20gr Metsulfuron + 10ml Penetrant/ 1 litre water or use Glyphosate neat.

For further information and more detailed control methods please refer to Environment Bay of Plenty's Fact Sheet PP10-Privets

Biological Control

Recommended Approach
Pull seedlings and stump treat or stem inject larger trees.

FURTHER COMMENT

For further information and more detailed control methods please refer to Environment Bay of Plenty's Fact Sheet PP10-Privet

This plant is prohibited from propagation, sale and distribution within the Bay of Plenty!