Cut snowberry to ground level

Cut it down to ground level with a handsaw, large loppers or chainsaw. Cutting alone will not eliminate snowberry as it will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

Pull snowberry out from the roots

Small and young snowberry plants can be pulled out from the roots. This is easiest when the soil is soft and wet.

Dig out the roots

Use a pickaxe or shovel to dig out the roots. Mature snowberry roots can grow as deep as 3 feet downward.

Be careful of spreading cuttings

Do not leave cuttings of snowberry on the ground. The cuttings will take root and sprout a new plant. It is very important to take the plant to a disposal facility or bag it in a plastic bag so further spreading does not occur.

Mowing

Cut the snowberry to ground level. If the area is flat enough to mow this is an effective method. Snowberry grows very quickly so the area will need to be mowed weekly in order for this to be effective.

Covering

Cut the snowberry to ground level. Cover the area in an opaque tarp or sheet of plastic. It is very important no light can pass through the covering. This will prevent the snowberry from photosynthesizing and the plants and root system will eventually die after one year or more of being covered.

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What is snowberry?

Snowberry refers to a type of invasive plant that is abundantly found across Vancouver island. Known for its rapid expansion, this plant propagates through its root system, continuously sprouting new plants. A lone snowberry plant can swiftly evolve into a dense and thick shrub. Generally, these snowberry bushes attain a mature height between 3-6 feet and bear shiny white berries by the end of the summer season.

Why is snowberry categorized as an invasive species?

The classification of snowberry as an invasive species can be attributed to several factors:

• It can proliferate from a single plant into a massive cluster of thousands.
• The rate at which its underground root system expands, resulting in new plants, is swift.
• Its tough nature enables it to regenerate even after being cut down.
• It tends to grow so densely that it chokes out native vegetation and completely overruns an area.
• It produces a high number of seeds annually.

What's the significance of eradicating snowberry?

Eradicating snowberry is important for numerous reasons:

• It has a propensity to overpower and eliminate native species.
• The severity of its infestations escalates over time.
• It can have harmful effects on natural bodies of water.
• It has the capacity to invade and damage neighbouring properties.
• It thrives and disseminates rapidly in both urban and natural landscapes.

How do we ensure the permanent removal of snowberry?

At Ascent Yard Care, our approach involves using chainsaws or other similar powered tools to cut down snowberry bushes, with the cuttings subsequently collected and discarded. We then proceed to use a stump grinder to eliminate the stumps and roots of the snowberry.

When needed, we resort to environmentally friendly treatments to remove snowberry. This process entails cutting the plant down to the stump, followed by careful treatment of the small, new leaves that emerge. Following this treatment, the root system eventually dies off. Importantly, our treatment is designed to not harm other plants and doesn't have any impact on the soil.

Since our establishment in 2017, Ascent Yard Care has successfully and permanently removed hundreds of snowberry infestations.

What are the costs associated with snowberry removal?

We invite you to contact us for a complimentary in-person quote in Victoria, BC. Jake will provide you with a comprehensive work order and quote.

Is there a possibility of snowberry regrowth?

In cases of severe infestations, we might need to schedule up to 2 follow-up visits to thoroughly eliminate any regrowth. However, in most instances, we manage to permanently remove snowberry infestations in just a single visit.

Professional help

We place immense value on the success of each project. For a free quote, don't hesitate to contact us.