Sweet briar

North West Weeds
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Identification │ Effect on animals │ More info? │ Control methods │Using pesticides │Disclaimer PRINT VERSION

Sweet briar (Rosa rubiginosa) is a native of Europe. A member of the rose family, it was introduced into Australia by early white settlers because of its attractive flowers. Widely planted, it soon became well established particularly in the cooler, high rainfall areas of New South Wales.

Sweet briar is spread by fruit-eating animals and birds. Seed material is also spread by floodwaters. Sweet briar is very invasive – the thorny plants can severely reduce a property’s stock-carrying capacity.

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EFFECT ON ANIMALS

The main problem with sweet briar is its invasiveness. It takes over shaded areas first (where the birds and animals drop the seeds) and keeps spreading until it eventually reduces a property’s stock-carrying capacity.

I DENTIFICATION

Sweet briar is a rose bush. It is thorny, and has very attractive white flowers during the late spring. The fruit, shown in the photograph at right, matures in late summer and is shed in autumn. Each fruit contains a large number of seeds – the seeds can remain viable in the ground for up to four years.

MORE INFORMATION: Includes Noxious Plants of Australia, by Parsons and Cutherbertson (Inkata Press).

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CONTROL METHODS

Non-Chemical Options: Plants can be removed by hand grubbing or removal with a tractor and chain if the ground is wet. Repeated cultivation is effective because ploughing eventually takes care of most of the root system.

Grazing management using sheep or particularly goats can be an effective means of controlling sweet briar.

Chemical Options: October – November are usually the best months for treatment of sweet briar in north west New South Wales – as long as the plants are not moisture-stressed. Plants need to be actively growing.

According to NSW DPI’s excellent booklet “Noxious and Environmental Weed Control Handbook 3rd Edition”, treatments for sweet briar include:

Chemical options	Rate: Spot/Boom	Comments
Triclopyr 300 g/L+picloram 100 g/L Various trade names eg Grazon DS®	500 ml in 100 L of water	Full leaf to ripe fruit prior to leaf fall.
Triclopyr 240 g/L+picloram 120 g/L Access®	1.0 L in 60 L of diesel	Apply as basal bark/cut stump application
Triclopyr 600 g/L Various trade names	1.0 L in 30 L of diesel	Apply as basal bark/cut stump application
2,4-D 300 g/L + picloram 240 g/L eg Tordon 75 D®	650 ml in 100 L of water	Full leaf as an overall spray
Metsulfuron-methyl 200 g/kg + picloram 240 g/L Crossbow®	30 g part A plus 150 mL part B in 100 L water	Foliar application. Apply when bushes are actively growing
Glyphosate 360 g/L Various trade names	1.5 to 2.0 L in 100 L of water	Spray to wet all foliage, from late flowering to leaf fall. Use higher rate on bushes over 1.5 m high.
Metsulfuron-methyl Various trade names	10 g in 100 L of water	Apply to actively growing bushes to point of run off. Do not apply after end of February
Metsulfuron-methyl 10 g/kg + glyphosate 835 g/kg Trounce®	1 measured pack (173 g) in 100 L water	Apply as close to the flowering period as possible
Metsulfuron-methyl 63.2 g/kg + glyphosate 760.5 g/kg Cut-out®	1 measured pack (95 g) in 100 L water	Apply as close to the flowering period as possible
Hexazinone eg Velpar L®	Undiluted (4 ml per spot)	One spot per metre of height. Do not apply near desirable trees.
Picloram 45 g/kg Vigilant®	Undiluted	Cut stump/stem injection application. Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm (see label)

IMPORTANT: USE OF PESTICIDES – ALWAYS READ THE LABEL

Pesticides must only be used for the purpose for which they are registered and must not be used in any other situation or in any manner contrary to the directions on the label. Never use a herbicide in any way contrary to the label recommendations.

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DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this web site is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of North West Weeds or the user’s independent adviser.
LRT 14/10/2007

Send mail to lestanner@aapt.net.au with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2007-2008 Last modified: 25/11/07 - L R Tanner

Send mail to lestanner@aapt.net.au with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007-2008 Last modified: 25/11/07 - L R Tanner