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that invade disturbed habitats, garlic mustard readily spreads into high quality <br />forests. <br />CONTROLLING GARLIC MUSTARD <br />Mechanical Control: Minor infestations can be eradicated by hand pulfing at or <br />before the onset of flowering, or by cutting the flower stalk as close to the soil <br />surFace as possible just as flowering beg�ns (cutting a couple inches above <br />ground level is not quite as effective). Cutting prior to this time may promote <br />resprouting. Cutting flowering plants at the ground level has resulted in 99% <br />mortality and eliminates seed production. A scythe, monofilament weed whip, or <br />power brush cutter may be helpful if the infestation covers a large area. When <br />pulling, the upper half of the root must be removed in order to stop buds at the <br />root crown from sending up new flower stalks. Pulling is very labor intensive, and <br />can result in soil disturbance, damaging desirable species, and bringing up seeds <br />from the seed bank. These results can be par�ially prevented by thoroughly <br />tamping soii after pulling. If, however, seed bank depletion is desired, leave the <br />soil in a disturbed state to encourage further germination, and return annually to <br />remove the plants. In general, cu#ting is less destructive than pulling as a control <br />method, but can be done only during flower stalk elongation. Pulling can be done <br />at any time when the soil is not frozen. If flowering has progressed to the point <br />that viable seed exists, remo�e the cut or pulled plants from the area. Because <br />seeds remain viable for five years, it is essential that an area be monitored and <br />plants remaved for at least five years after the initial control effort. <br />For larger infestations, fall or early spring burning may be effective. First year <br />plants are killed by fire, if the fire is hot enough to remove all leaf litier_ However, <br />the bare soil enhances survival of seedlings that germinate after the fire, and the <br />total population may increase after the fre. Dense populations may be controlled <br />more effecti�ely by fall burning, when leaf litter provides adequate #uel. Spring <br />burns should be conducted early enough to minimize possible injury to spring <br />wildflowers. Three to five years of burning are required, and should be followed <br />by hand-pufling or cutting of small populations produced from the seed bank_ <br />