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As blackberry grows in thickets, forming a dense canopy, few plants can successfully compete. The weed invades native bushland, reduces the carrying capacity of grazing land and also provides ideal habitat for rabbits and foxes. Blackberries usually invade disturbed areas, particularly where vegetation has been cleared.
Birds and animals (such as foxes) are attracted to the fruit and are responsible for spreading the seeds over wide areas. Seeds are also distributed by water along creeks, gullies and rivers. Map 1. Distribution
Environmental Impacts Invades native bushland, disturbed areas, banks of watercourses and roadsides. Forms a dense canopy with which few plants can successfully compete. Provides ideal habitat for rabbits and foxes, providing food and shelter. Dead material causes fire hazards.
Physical control Maintenance of dense cover or pasture will prevent blackberry seedlings from establishing. For isolated plants, physical removal of the crown and root system is effective. Mechanical control Slashing, cultivation and burning where appropriate followed by planting of competitive pastures or replanting with native vegetation, will control blackberry. Herbicide control Herbicide application is ideal as a follow up to mechanical control (up to 75% of the plant mass may be dead canes) as this will reduce herbicide use and improve plant uptake of herbicide.