College Place joins war against puncturevine
By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 17th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
COLLEGE PLACE – They are painful to step on and can puncture bicycle tires, now a regional task force is tackling the problem of puncturevine, also known as goathead or devil’s thorn.
The city of College Place is the newest member of the Puncturevine Task Force.
A single point of contact has now been established to streamline the complaint process pertaining to where problem areas are at throughout the Walla Walla Valley.
“All initial reports are taken by the Walla Walla Parks Department,” College Place City Administrator Mike Rizzitiello explained. “Then the complaints get forwarded to the respective agency to get taken care of.
The Puncturevine Task Force includes the cities of College Place and Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Allegro Cyclery and Bicycle Barn.
Puncturevine is more commonly found in Eastern Washington, although it does grow on both sides of the state. The spines of the fruit can injure the feet of animals and people, and can damage property such as puncturing bicycle tires, making it a problem in recreational areas such as multi-use paths, sidewalks, and rural roadways. To prevent bicycle tires from getting punctured, local bicycle shops can put sealant on tubes.
Puncturevine can quickly form large infestations in the right conditions, according to the Walla Walla Parks Department. Its foliage is toxic to livestock, especially sheep when consumed in quantity. It is a serious weed in pastures, roadsides, waste places, and cultivated fields.
Washington state code requires property owners to control and prevent the spread of noxious weeds including puncturevine. It can be hand-pulled (wear gloves) or controlled by hoeing. Appropriate herbicide can be use but check with the Walla Walla County Noxious Weed Control Board for specific herbicide recommendations. The Puncturevine Task Forces asks anyone in the Walla Walla Valley who notices a puncturevine infestation to report by sending an email to parks@wallawallawa.gov
Photo via the city of Walla Walla
