“Abbiamo rotto la barriera”: Ottimismo sboccia nella battaglia contro Rhododendron al Killarney National Park

Some extracts:

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>On the foothills of the Reeks at Tomies Mountain high over Lough Léin, two track machines with specially designed serrated teeth and operated by park staff flail then mulch hundreds of acres of dense impenetrable jungle caused by the rhododendron which grows to a height of several feet. What remains then is a carpet of rhododendron wood, almost like a cornfield stubble.

>When the ground is cleared by the machines, rhododendron roots are treated with [herbicide glyphosate](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/12/its-a-non-party-political-issue-banning-the-weed-killer-glyphosate); replanting of the area takes place and it is then left to rewild. Deer and sheep are excluded by wooden posts cut from fallen trees gathered in the park.
In the last two weeks alone more than 20 acres have been cleared – about two acres a day.

>Along with clearing rhododendron, culling of deer in the park has also stepped up a gear this year. Hundreds of deer – red and sika – are being shot by conservation rangers – with a landmark 500 taken out this year. The park has an abattoir where the deer are then brought. Much of the venison ends up in high-end restaurants or is exported, O’Sullivan says. Meanwhile in the cleared forest, regrowth is starting. Acorns are shooting up new oak trees while wild flowers such as foxgloves have also appeared. Waterfalls hidden for decades are emerging too. The clearance has seen hundreds of acres opened up already. It will take some time before the work is complete.

I remember a similar initiative in Glenveagh national park years ago. The valley was nearly choked with them. They did a decent job of clearing the park, but there are plenty in the surrounding area, so it is creeping back. It’s a pity nothing eats the damn thing.

Now maybe prevent them from being sold in nearly all garden centers…