Answer

      In response to a post recently about hunting in phragmites PMF in a comment asked if they are invasive. The answer is, yes. They compete with cattails which are better habitat for wildlife. Phragmites are very tall reeds. They have very little undergrowth so the ground under them is somewhat bare. On the other hand cattails have much growth near the ground. Wildlife buried in cattails are almost totally shielded from wind. Pheasants snuggled down in a cattail slough can withstand severe blizzards because of the protection from wind. Phragmites do offer that.

    Phragmite control is difficult because they grow in wetlands. That makes it impossible to use machinery to eliminate them. Ideally they would be mowed and the regrowth sprayed but that can't be done when they ground is too wet. Consequently, they continue to spread unhindered. Invasive cedars can be cut individually but that's not feasible with phragmites.

Takk for alt,

Al

What’s wrong with too much phragmites?

 It can take over an ecosystem through its dense plant stands, which can prevent other species from being able to grow in the same area. It also negatively impacts wetland wildlife habitats. Additionally, the invasive plant outcompetes native plants by releasing chemicals in the soil that can keep other plants from growing.