Sir, – Rhododendron is running wild and beautiful across parts of our country and is out of control with devastating effects on plant and animal life.
Anne Lucey's account of the invasive and toxic plant colonising hundreds of hectares in MacGillycuddy's Reeks exemplifies the seriousness of the problem ("Toxic takeover: The growing problem of rhododendron in Kerry", November 13th).
Faced with advancing rhododendron, the time-consuming and laborious nature of the current project work being undertaken to remove it using specialised stem injection, the associated costs involved, the inaccessibility of some of the terrain and the fight to secure biodiversity in the longer-term, it may be opportune to review the policy on herbicidal foliar spray.
As it takes “six to eight years to eliminate rhododendron seedlings” and with heavy machinery available, a process of cutting, uprooting and successively spraying all new growth where safe to do so could speed up the conquest of this most invasive plant over years rather than decades.
Any endangered plant species could be replanted in the natural layers of woodland that would eventually return.
Otherwise, it appears the disastrous struggle will continue for a long time to come. Lucey’s article also states that not every farmer on the reeks is joining the battle to hold back the invasion and everyone is needed on board.
Some people may still recall the noxious weed of a previous era when a guard would arrive on his bicycle with a warning of a fine if the offending ragwort were not cut.
– Yours, etc,
KEVIN McLOUGHLIN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.