Japanese Barberry Trade-Up Day Events, 2017
Japanese barberry is a highly invasive ornamental plant species that is still sold in nurseries and used by landscapers. Extremely hardy and lacking any predators, it quickly spreads into nearby natural areas outcompeting native plants such as spring ephemerals and tree seedlings. Additionally, it is found to harbor black-legged ticks which may carry Lyme Disease, making this plant both an ecological and public health threat.
Encouraging the removal of barberry from landscapes seemed to make perfect sense and thus, Dumpster Day was created. Landowners were encouraged to remove barberry plants from their landscape and in return received a $5.00 coupon for a non-invasive alternative - up to $50.00. The coupons were accepted by select Go Beyond Beauty participants.
Two events were held; one in Grand Traverse County at the Grand Traverse Conservation District and one in Manistee County in collaboration with the Manistee Conservation District. Community members from Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties brought barberry plants of all sizes. Some happily threw a single, young seedling over the side of the dumpster while others arrived hauling monstrous plants on trailers. Over 125 plants were collected during both events.
Thank you to everyone who participated.
Encouraging the removal of barberry from landscapes seemed to make perfect sense and thus, Dumpster Day was created. Landowners were encouraged to remove barberry plants from their landscape and in return received a $5.00 coupon for a non-invasive alternative - up to $50.00. The coupons were accepted by select Go Beyond Beauty participants.
Two events were held; one in Grand Traverse County at the Grand Traverse Conservation District and one in Manistee County in collaboration with the Manistee Conservation District. Community members from Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Manistee counties brought barberry plants of all sizes. Some happily threw a single, young seedling over the side of the dumpster while others arrived hauling monstrous plants on trailers. Over 125 plants were collected during both events.
Thank you to everyone who participated.
