Environment
Warning over Freddy Krueger Weed
Cherry laurel was first introduced to Britain at the end of 19th century.
The Manx Woodland Trust has spoken out against people choosing to introduce an invasive plant to their gardens.
Labelled an alien species the rubber-leaved blight, known as cherry laurel, was first introduced to Britain at the end of 19th century.
The cherry laurel has proved popular with some homeowner who choose to put it in their gardens, however the WT warns that they can ‘quickly escape gardens, and when left uncontrolled, form impenetrable thickets that shade out native vegetation’.
It said: ‘It is particularly problematic in our glens, where it outcompetes native Manx flora, leading to the loss of habitat for wildlife and degrading ecosystems. Sadly, it can be found all over the island, in Glen Helen, Glen Roy, Tholt y Will, Ballachurry Nature Reserve, Molly Quirk’s Glen, Ballaglass, Port Soderick Glen, the Dhoon Glen, Baldrine Glen, and many other places, besides.
‘In the wild, cherry laurel is able to reproduce vigorously through both seeds and suckering. Once established, eradication is extremely challenging due to its ability to resprout from roots and stumps.
‘It’s not actually a laurel, so naming it the Freddy Krueger weed would make a lot more sense as it is almost impossible to get rid of. You think you’ve killed it but it just comes back again and again and again.’
So difficult to remove, even dropping a a branch on the ground can see a new bush spouting from it.
The Woodland Trust says it is so opposed to the plant it would even prefer gardeners to put down astro-turf.
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