Commisioners vote to leave Russian olives alone

County commissioners in Montana have been asked whether they want to forbid the planting of Russian olive trees, declare them noxious weeds, or continue the current non-regulated status. The Valley County commissioners recently recommended the third option, non-regulation.

Commissioner Bruce Peterson said they went to their experts before making the recommendation.

“We asked (Valley County Weed Coordinator) Rick Stellflug, our weed guy. He talked with (Extension agent) Shelley Mills,” Peterson said. “They would prefer not to regulate Russian olives. Or if we did, just in riparian areas. In our country we use it for shelterbelts. Stellflug understands that in some places it is a problem.”

The Montana Department of Agriculture is charged with creating a statewide noxious weed list that was recently revised to include a Priority 3 listing of “regulated” plants. As defined by rule, regulated plants are not noxious weeds, but include plants with potential for significant negative impacts in Montana. Plants within a Priority 3 Listing can not be sold or intentionally planted in the state.

The department is proposing adding Russian olive, a non-native tree invading riparian areas, to the regulated Priority 3 Listing. This listing does not require destruction or management of existing trees (such as those in windbreaks), but it would stop continued sale of the tree.

Russian olive was proposed for listing as a Priority 3 plant for the following reasons:
1) The spread from intentional plantings to riparian/wetland areas.
2) The plant is causing serious ecological changes to riparian/wetland habitats.
3) Potential losses include negative economic impacts to the agricultural community, ecological impacts and impacts to recreation.
4) As a result of these impacts, the plant is currently targeted for control by various private land managers, federal agencies, conservation districts and weed districts, with control costs exceeding $300,000 per year in the state.

“Personally we don't have a problem on our ranch,” said Commissioner Dave Reinhardt, who ranches near Hinsdale. “I handle them myself on the ditches, just spray them out. They're not hard to kill when they're young.

“I'd rather spend our county money on salt cedar. That's the one we're concerned about.”

Seeking input
The department received many comments in support of this listing, but also some comments in opposition. As a result, the department sought input from every county regarding its preferred designation for Russian olive. Possible listings and definitions are:
1. Regulated plant (recommended by the department): Plants may not be intentionally planted or sold in Montana.
2. Noxious weed: It would be unlawful for any person to allow Russian olive to propagate or produce seed on their land unless the landowner adheres to the county weed management program of their county, or enters into and is in compliance with a written noxious weed management plan for their property.
3. Non-regulated plant (current status): Plant can be sold, redistributed, and planted throughout Montana.

Russian olive is an import
Russian olive is a small thorny tree native to southern Europe and western Asia. It has been commonly planted in North America since the early 1900s as an ornamental, and for windbreaks, erosion control and wildlife enhancement purposes. It has readily propagated throughout the western United States and portions of Canada.

Although considered a desirable component of windbreaks in the semi-arid uplands of Montana, it has spread from intentional plantings and invaded many riparian areas in the state. It has also shown potential to dominate riparian and lowland sites, causing serious ecological changes to these important habitats. Potential losses include impacts to wildlife, agriculture and recreation.

Russian olive may displace such native trees as cottonwood, green ash and willow along river systems. Russian olive enhances habitat for some wildlife species, but it replaces native vegetation and reduces habitat for many other wildlife species. It is rarely eaten or used by beavers, thus furthering its competitive advantage over native species.

Russian olive may impede water flow in irrigation ditches and reduce availability of surface water in smaller channels. Dense infestations may limit movement of humans, livestock and some wildlife.

Russian olive has the ability to sprout from the base following damage, and germinates from seeds that are dispersed primarily by water, birds, and animals. Seeds can germinate under a wide variety of environmental conditions.

The number of acres currently infested with Russian olive in Montana is unknown. However, severe infestations occur along the Marias, Milk, Missouri, Musselshell, Yellowstone, Powder and Bighorn Rivers. Trees can tolerate a broad range of conditions and are found on high river terraces as well as moist, low terraces in Montana. Trees also have been observed to invade irrigation ditch banks and sub-irrigated pastures in the state.

Controlling Russian olive
Russian olive control is possible – but expensive. Seedlings and sprouts can easily be hand-pulled when the soil is moist. Once firmly established, the most effective control is achieved by cutting the tree and applying herbicide to the cut-stump to prevent re-sprouting. Most non-chemical control methods (bulldozing, mowing, brush-cutting) are not effective unless all re-spouts are continually cut and removed. Burning does not seem to be an effective control technique due to re-sprouting.

Because of its invasive nature, control programs to remove Russian olive are becoming more common. The plant is currently targeted for control by private land managers, conservation districts, weed districts and federal agencies along riparian corridors.

Management efforts include:
· The Bureau of Land Management has allocated $60,000 in 2010 for Russian olive control in the Missouri Breaks. From 2005 through 2009, the BLM expended about $555,000 for control of Russian olive in riparian areas.
· The Upper Yellowstone Area allocated $168,000 and $277,000 in 2008 and 2009, respectively, to control Russian olive and salt cedar.
· The Bureau of Indian Affairs spent $25,000 in 2008-09 to manage Russian olive and salt cedar on the Big Horn River.
· The Marias River Watershed Group is actively involved in removing Russian olive in a control/demonstration area below Tiber Reservoir.
· Treasure County removed 100 acres with hand-labor at a cost of $1,000/acre. Russian olive is a county-listed noxious weed in Treasure County.