Council encourages community to tackle African Boxthorn

Published on 24 May 2024

Following recent rain in the area, Narrabri Shire Council is strongly encouraging landowners to manage African Boxthorn while they are fresh, green, and flowering.

Boxthorn is widespread in regional Australia, invading natural areas, grazing lands, and roadsides. It forms dense, impenetrable thickets that can injure livestock, harbour feral animals, and reduce access for stock, native animals, people, and vehicles.

Considered “asset protection” within the Narrabri Shire, landowners are required to prevent African Boxthorn seed and propagules spreading to reduce the impacts on priority assets.

Effective, long-term control requires the integration of several control methods including;

• Physical removal: By machine or cultivation.
• Chemical control: Foliar spraying, soil spraying, basal bark treatment, cut stump treatment, stem injection or granular herbicide soil application.
• Pasture management: Promote vigorous perennial pastures to resist invasion.

When choosing to control African Boxthorn via chemical means it is strongly encouraged that the recommended rates and correct PPE be followed whilst covering the entire plant in chemical solution. Contrary to popular belief, choosing higher dosage rates has the opposite affect on African Boxthorn which sees immediate leaf burn followed by abundant regrowth.

For more information on African Boxthorn including identification and control including herbicide options, visit weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Alternatively, contact Council’s Weed Officer at 6799 6866.