It's that time of year when we need your help removing invasive nandina berries from the mountain. The setup will be the same as last year. Here's a refresher on how you can help control an invasive plant, and why nandina or heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is bad for the environment:
Nandina berries might be pretty in the home landscape, but when they are gobbled up by birds and spread throughout the forest (scarified by gut acids and deposited along with a little fertilizer package), the seeds sprout and wreak havoc on the ecosystem by multiplying and out-competing native species. The berries contain cyanide and are especially toxic to cedar waxwings and robins, as these birds often flock in and gorge like they’re at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Nandina is seen around the mountain along many of our trails— most notably along the Quarry trail, Trillium trail, and Nature trail. In order to prevent the next offspring of nandina from propagating, the berries can be removed, and discarded.
How do you help us get rid of nandina?
Stop at the invasive plant station at the South Eastlake trailhead where you’ll find berry removal instructions, supplies, and a sign-up sheet. Please let us know which trails you've covered and when.
At Ruffner:
- Remove red nandina berries along trail edges and place them in a bag to be discarded in the trash.
- Be careful if wandering off-trail to collect berries as there are many potential hazards off the trail.
- Stay within sight of the trail at all times.
- Be sure to wash your hands after handling the berries.
At home:
- Don’t plant Nandina. (Ha)
- Remove plants and seedlings from your landscape.
- If used as an ornamental planting - collect and discard the fruit.
