The dry winter experienced by much of Queensland, including Reedy Creek Reserve, has had at least one positive outcome – perfect conditions to stomp into the swamp.
Countless generations of Saw Grass, Bungwall Fern and Maiden Hair Fern, sustained by the shallow water table, have accumulated to form deep black peaty soils that can claim a boot or sandshoe when wet.
In this often-difficult-to-access country there were some woody weed outbreaks that we needed to address. This past September their time was up.
Thanks to the sterling efforts of Dylan, Joanne and Paul some Lantana patches are no longer waving their purple flowers above the Saw Grass. A few towering Umbrella Trees cast their shade no more and some Pepper Trees have considerably less pep.
In addition to their core mission the team confirmed fears about the presence of Singapore Daisy – a weed that Joanne and Paul have personal experience with in the south east corner of Queensland. The infestation appears to be quite limited in size so hopefully this early detection will allow us to beat it.
A brand new weed was also discovered in the same area – Lark Daisy. Again it was probably washed or blown in from surrounding house blocks.
Over five days the team had surveyed and treated many of the known woody weed hot spots. Beyond that, they ventured into areas that are seldom tread by anything larger than a skink to search out new or emerging infestations.
To Paul, Joanne and Dylan, I'd like to thank you on behalf of the plants, animals and humans of Agnes Water, for your contribution of time, effort and goodwill toward the ongoing preservation of Reedy Creek Reserve.
The Woody Weeders: Dylan, Paul and Joanne. Fresh on day one before the cutting and grubbing and hand pulling kicked off. 
Dylan with a recently felled Umbrella tree, native of Australia but not endemic to Reedy Creek. Larger trees were treated with the ‘cut stump’ method. After felling Dylan painted the stump with a chemical gel to kill the root system. 
Joanne and Dylan dealing with a pepper tree. For best results the cut stump method requires swift application of the gel to the cut surface, our small team of three had a smooth system worked out in no time. 
Paul hand pulling some of the ‘new’ Lark Daisy. 
