North Dakota State University Extension Service - Burke County
Burke County AgAlert
April 22, 2008
Common Tansy Added to Noxious Weed List
The Burke County Weed Board has added Common Tansy (tanecetum vulgare) to
the county noxious weed list. This means that landowners are required to
control this weed. Under the North Dakota Weed Law control means stopping
the production of seed and preventing propagation through mechanical,
cultural or chemical control methods.
This plant is an introduced species which was once common in gardens and
flower beds. It was used for medicinal purposes and also has some 
insecticidal
properties. It gradually spread into shelterbelts and around the edges of
wetlands and other noncrop areas at an ever increasing rate. Over the last
fifteen years it has spread faster and faster as it became more adapted to
our area. It has also been brought into the area in CRP grass seed. With
changes in crop production systems it is now moving into cropland where it
can be extremely difficult to control in no-till and direct seeding systems.
It is found in all areas of the county but is most severe along a line from
Bowbells to Portal and extending north and south of that line for about
three miles. The Burke County Weed Board has mapped many of the sites where
this weed is found and that information is available to landowners and
producers.
Common Tansy is a non-woody perennial which slowly spreads by roots and by
seed. It typically
grows up to 4 feet tall, with established plants having a bush like
appearance from multiple stems. Right now it can be easily seen as last
years stems remain standing well above any grasses around it. During the
growing season it has a bright green fern like leaf and gets clusters of
yellow flowers in July and August.
Mechanical methods of control include mowing, cultivating, and hand digging.
Cultural methods would include burning and possibly intensive grazing. It
can be poisonous to livestock but is generally unpalatable. It does not
tolerate the extreme hoof action of intensive grazing rotations which does
not allow seedling to get established and may prevent seed production from
established plants.
Chemical in non-cropland can be easily accomplished with
high rates of dicamba (Clarity or Banvel), Tordon, Milestone, and Escort or
Ally (metsulforon). The Burke County Weed Board will be offering costshare
on Tordon and Escort for common tansy control.
For
more information or to discuss a management plan and costshare contact the
Burke County Extension office at 377-2927
Dan Folske
Extension Agent/Burke County
Soil Conservation Technology Specialist
PO Box 280
Bowbells, North Dakota 58721
dan.folske@ndsu.edu
701-377-2927