Blackberry is a Weed of National Significance in Australia and a long-lived, fast-growing, sprawling shrub that forms dense, prickly thickets. It impacts agriculture, forestry and natural ecosystems, restricting access and movement, blocking waterways, and suppressing native vegetation and regeneration. Thickets can increase fire hazard and provide shelter for pests such as rabbits and foxes. It spreads by seed (often dispersed by birds, animals and water) and by vegetative rooting of cane tips, so sustained management is typically required.
Distribution records are indicative. Always confirm current status with your state biosecurity authority. Found in: disturbed bush, stream-sides, roadsides, tracks, fence lines, degraded pasture, neglected areas, native bush, paddocks, gullies, hillsides.
Long-term management usually needs sustained effort over multiple years. Dense, prickly thickets restrict access and can regenerate from roots and cane tips, so single-pass removal is rarely successful. Spread risk is high via seed moved by birds, animals and water, and by vegetative fragments and rooting canes; cultivation can also spread infestations. Different microspecies can respond differently to herbicides, so correct identification and integrated approaches are important.
Clean soil and plant material from machinery and equipment before leaving infested areas to reduce spread to clean sites.
When using herbicides, target healthy, actively growing plants and ensure complete coverage of canes and leaves, including runners and suckers away from the main bush.
Revisit sites regularly and apply follow-up control over multiple seasons to manage regrowth and new seedlings.
Dense thickets can pose a fire hazard due to dry material within infestations and can fuel bushfires.
Dense, prickly thickets restrict access (including along fire trails) and hinder movement of people, machinery and livestock.
Thickets provide shelter for rabbits and foxes and food for introduced species such as starlings, blackbirds and foxes, which can also contribute to spread.
Thickets can smother native shrub layers and ground vegetation and prevent germination and succession of trees and shrubs.
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