Ostrava Battles Invasive Giant Hogweed in Three-Stage Operation

In the Slezská Ostrava district, city authorities are tackling a dangerous invasive plant — Sosnowsky's giant hogweed. According to Aleš Boháč, Ostrava's deputy mayor for the environment, the eradication effort has been split into three stages combining chemical treatment with mechanical soil work.

What's been done so far

The first stage wrapped up in May this year. It involved chemically treating the hogweed thickets as well as another dangerous invasive species — Japanese knotweed. A few weeks later, specialists milled the entire affected area to destroy the plants' root systems.

The second stage began over the summer, targeting fresh shoots. It includes another round of chemical treatment along with additional soil milling — measures designed to prevent the plants from regrowing and gradually exhaust their ability to regenerate.

Final stage set for autumn

The third and final stage is scheduled for September and October. Its aim is to mechanically remove any plants that have managed to sprout again, along with a final milling of the entire site.

The deputy mayor noted that timely intervention should halt the further spread of the hogweed, sparing the city more complicated and costly measures down the line. So far, only a handful of hogweed patches have been recorded across Ostrava.

Source: ekolist.cz