What is snowberry?

Snowberry is an invasive species widespread on Vancouver island. Snowberry spreads through a rapidly expanding root system that sprouts new plants. A single snowberry plant will quickly grow to form a dense thicket. Snowberry bushes have a mature height of 3-6 feet and produce shiny white berries in late summer.

Why is snowberry invasive?

• A single snowberry plant can turn into a patch containing thousands of plants
• Snowberry spreads underground through a rapidly expanding root system which constantly sprouts new plants
• Snowberry produces extremely resilient growth that re-sprouts after cutting
• Snowberry thickets can often suppress all native vegetation and completely take over an area
• Snowberry plants produce thousands of seeds per year

Why is it crucial to remove snowberry?

• Snowberry crowds out native species
• Snowberry infestations will get worse over time
• Snowberry can harm natural waterways
• Snowberry can spread to neighbouring property
• Snowberry thrives and spreads rapidly in both the urban environment and natural environment

Permanently removing snowberry

We remove the snowberry bushes with chainsaws or other powered cutters, the cut material is cleaned up and hauled away. We then grind out the snowberry stumps and root material with a stump grinder.

When necessary, we employ eco-friendly treatments to eradicate snowberry. This involves cutting the plant down to the stump, then precisely treating the small new leaves that sprout. Following the treatment the root system will die. Our treatment will not kill other plants and has no soil activity or run off.

Ascent Yard Care has permanently removed hundreds of snowberry infestations since our business was founded in 2017.

Snowberry removal cost

Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC and Jake will provide an exact work order and quote.

Won’t the snowberry just grow back?

In the worst infestations, up to 2 follow up visits may be necessary to completely eradicate re-growth. Most snowberry patches we service are completely and permanently removed in one visit.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a Free Quote.

Want to try removing snowberry yourself? Follow these tips:

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.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a Free Quote.