Rhododendron Taking over the West

Hooleyo

Im just back from a trip along the west of Ireland. Mainly West and North Mayo.

I was horrified at the extent of the invasive Rhododendron taking over the entire area. Entire farm divisions are marked exclusively by it. And yet apart from the spread of it in Killarney National Park, the spread of this menace is barely talked about.

Worst of all, is that as I transitioned out of the area where it is pervasive and inland where it did not seem to be present, there it was planted in some persons garden.

There should be, at the very least, bye laws against selling or planting the bloody thing. The landscape is ruined and its spreading like wildfire.

Del.Monte

I suspect uncontrolled ribbon development and bungalow blitz is far more noticeable and damaging - at least it was the last time that I was out west.

Hooleyo

Del.Monte wrote: »

I suspect uncontrolled ribbon development and bungalow blitz is far more noticeable and damaging - at least it was the last time that I was out west.

As a % of the area being taken up, I doubt housing (which does have some positive function at least) comes close to what I saw of the scale of the Rhododendron problem out there.

HeidiHeidi

There's an ongoing war being waged against it in Glenveagh in Donegal for the last 15 years or more.

Hooleyo

It seems like a losing war when any tom dick and harry can grow them in their garden. The thing should be banned!

123shooter

I blame Trump. May as well he gets blame for everything else.

Merowig

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

There's an ongoing war being waged against it in Glenveagh in Donegal for the last 15 years or more.

Don't mention the war!
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/army-should-be-called-in-over-killarneys-rhododendron-situation-says-td-healyrae-35472090.html

Keplar240B

large swaths of the Knockmealdown mountains and's parts of galtee's are also infested .

Harry Palmr

Have to plant massive Spruce forests and import more grey squirrels to kill it! :pac:

two wheels good

I was on the Beara penninsula last weekend and had the same thought. Being in bloom, the rhododendrons were so much more obvious.