Q&A: Interview with Johnny Casper

Have you ever tried to get rid
of Scotch broom?

Yes, for the past four years.

Why were you worried about the plant?

Because it takes over and is really invasive.  We've seen it take over land around Concow Lake and along our gravel road.

When we learned that it burns as hot as gasoline, we decided we didn't want it anywhere near our home.

What has your experience
removing broom been like?

We started pulling it in our neighborhood four years ago.  The parent plants were about three feet tall and growing in an area about 30 by 10 feet.

We cut them off at the stem, below the surface of the soil.  This did kill the plants, however the seedlings kept coming back.

Every spring for the past three years we'd pull the baby seedlings --which grew anywhere from four inches to two feet tall -- by hand.  We'd do this while the soil was moist and then we put the pulled seedlings in the trash and threw them away.

How important is education about broom?

it's really important.

I had a neighbor who planted two broom plants next to their deck.  They had no idea what a fire hazard the plants were or how they could spread and take over an area.

Education is really important to preventing this plant from taking over our neighborhoods.

I plan on pulling up a broom plant and using it as a sample at our road association meeting.

The important thing is that we recognize what a problem this plant is and work together to get rid of it.

Weed Wrench Lending Program

A weed wrench is an extremely helpful tool for removing established and unwanted weeds.  As part of our campaign to remove Broom in the area, the Butte Fire Safe Council has adopted a weed wrench lending program.

Loan Policy

Cost – Free for current members (a $30 minimum member donation to BCFSC within the past year)

Deposit  Amount $20.00 - will be returned upon the return of the Weed Wrench^TM

Number of tools that can be borrowed:

• 2 for individuals/families
• 4 for community groups

Loan Time - Length of time of loan is two weeks maximum.  The tools may be re- checked out if there is no one on the waiting list.

Recall – BCFSC reserves the right to recall the tools for the BCFSC’s needs at any time.

Waiting List - If all tools are checked out, names will be added to a waiting list on a first come-first served  basis.

 Weed Wrench Application (93.5 kB)

 Weed Wrench Loan Policy & Liability Waiver (98.52 kB)

Weed Wrenches are also available for rental from Ace Rentals in Paradise