While the weather may not feel like it, summer is finally here! It’s time for swimming, biking, hiking, BBQs, camping, and so many more activities that we love doing in the beautiful Methow Valley! Here’s a summer newsletter to keep you updated on the latest news of Wilson Ranch, and a new weed for you to be on the lookout for.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Weed of the Month–Oxeye Daisy
- Burn Restrictions in place
- Firewise work party
- Community event on Labor Day
Please note that Okanogan County Burn Restrictions are currently in place from June 15th to October 15th 2023.
The Burn Restriction prohibits ALL field/pile/rubbish/rule/slash/yard vegetation and non-emergent agricultural burning on private lands within the unincorporated areas of Okanogan County reducing the risk of wildfires.
Recreational Fires are ALLOWED during a burn restriction if used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes and the fuel being burned is other than rubbish. Fires used for debris disposal purposes are NOT considered recreational fires.
Recreational Fire Definition:
Recreational fires must be contained in a concrete, rock, or steel ring (made from non-combustible material), no larger than 3 feet in diameter and no less than 8 inches in height. The fire (flames) shall be no higher than 2 feet and not conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Recreational fires SHALL be attended to at all times.
More information can be found on the website.
Weed of the Month: Oxeye Daisy
Common names: white daisy, marguerite, field daisy, poorland flower, moonpenny
Growth Characteristics:
- Perennial, herbaceous, broadleaf plant growing erect 1-3 feet tall.
- Rosettes grow in clumps resulting in plants with multiple flowering stems.
- Stems are glabrous to slightly pubescent, 12 to 30 inches tall and are simple to moderately branched.
- Leaves are sessile and spirally arranged on the stem. Their shape is lanceolate or ligulate and their margins are coarsely-toothed. Leaves are hairless, dark green and glossy.
- Flower heads are solitary at the stem tips and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Central disc flowers are many, tiny, and bright yellow. Outer ray flowers (20 to 30) are white, petal-like, and sterile. Flowers throughout the summer growing season.
- Reproduces via seed and creeping rhizomes; seeds are single, small and black (1 to 1.5 mm long)
Ecology Impacts/threats:
Oxeye daisy can crowd-out preferred forage species reducing carrying capacity for livestock and the value of hay. Where it spreads onto rangeland, it can lower plant community diversity and degrade wildlife habitat.
Location:
Oxeye daisy is widely found since it grows in a wide range of soil textures; however it prefers heavy moist soil. It can be common in pastures and hay meadows; rangeland; along roads, trails and rights-of-way; residential and industrial areas; and near streams and other water sources. It has a low tolerance for shade and prefers open areas. This weed is well adapted to disturbance and often migrates to drier upland sites once established.
Spread:
Oxeye daisy has no specialized morphological features to facilitate seed or root dispersal so people, vehicles, and animals are probable vectors for off-site spread. Seed is easily dispersed by water, humans, birds, and rodents; it can spread over long distances by adhering to surfaces and undercarriages of off-road vehicles and road maintenance 2 equipment. Oxeye daisy seed is spread from infested hay meadows when plants with flowers are bailed with hay. It has been reported that oxeye daisy has been included in seed mixtures that were prepared and planted in meadows and various areas intended for restoration, such as after wildfire or areas planted for erosion control.
Invasive Features:
Flower stems of oxeye daisy persist through the winter thereby allowing a long seed dispersal period from September through March. Germination requirements are not specific; new plants may propagate any month of the year. Its basally growing rhizomes allows moisture storage and access to deeper soil moisture. Prolific seed production coupled with high germination rates and long seed viability make this weed highly competitive.
Management:
Early detection and management of small populations before they can expand into larger populations is extremely important for oxeye daisy control. Due to copious seed production and a high germination rate, unmanaged small populations may grow quickly and become more difficult to eradicate. Small, isolated infestations on otherwise healthy sites should be given high priority for treatment. Perimeters of infestations should be treated first and then worked toward the center. Regardless of the approach followed, it must be recognized that oxeye daisy cannot be effectively controlled within a single year or by using only one method. Complete control will likely require 3-6 years of repeated management methods.
• Healthy plant communities should be maintained or encouraged to limit oxeye daisy infestations.
• Detect, map, and eradicate new populations of oxeye daisy as early as possible. Keep annual records of reported infestations.
• Implement monitoring and a follow-up treatment plan for missed plants and seedlings.
• Use only certified weed-free seed when planning any restoration activity.
Firewise work party
On May 28th, volunteers from Wilson Ranch spread out over Elsie’s Meadow and around Freestone Lake to remove flammable fuels. After two hours, volunteers created 30 piles to be chipped! The event ended with a picnic at South Beach and a great talk from Gordon Congdon about living with black bears in our community.
16 volunteers participated in the work party
238 hours of Firewise work completed at private homes and common areas
$4905 spent on Firewise related work and improvements
8+ tons of fuels chipped
5+ acres of land cleared
We were just notified that WA DNR increased our Firewise grant from $3000 to $4800 to cover ALL of our chipping costs. Many thanks to our volunteers and residents who worked on their properties over the month May. What a great team effort!
Community Activity Alert!
Your Wilson Ranch Activity Committee is planning a community event for September 2, which is Saturday of Labor Day weekend. We envision a fun time late in the afternoon/early evening that will be accessible to everyone of all ages! We are considering a variety of ideas, including a byob happy hour/potluck.
Please contact Rachael Plemel or Marvin Sutton with any questions
methowvalleyps@gmail.com
msutton@freestoneinn.com