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Poison Hemlock Removal #802785

Asked July 24, 2022, 5:39 PM EDT

I recently found a stand of hemlock on our farm in Union County. Do you know of a safe way to remove it and/or are there county resources available to help. Thank you, Sue Miller Raymond, Ohio

Union County Ohio

Expert Response

Hello,
I have been researching your question. The fact that it is already in seed and finished with its life may be different. If the plant was actively growing, I could tell you how to safely remove it. Here are some great fact sheets. https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/1321

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74162.html
I will get back to you when I find the answer on how to remove it NOW. The seeds have been set and are possibly dropping and being blown to reseed. In the mean time. Here is the phone number for Union County Health Dept. They should be able to answer you if there is help in your county to remove it:
<personal data hidden>

If you would decide to try yourself, please make sure you are wearing protective clothing, long sleeves, long pants, and gloves. Wash you hands after removing clothing so you don’t touch your mouth or eyes.

Thanks for allowing me to help with your gardening needs, Replied July 26, 2022, 6:33 AM EDT

Hello again, still researching, but found another fact sheet telling what NOT to do after it has gone to seed. Do not mow or weed whack! https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1996 I will keep on this and hopefully get back to you soon

Thanks for allowing me to help with your gardening needs, Replied July 26, 2022, 9:36 AM EDT

Thanks for the info.

Let me run an idea by you.

Since it's a biennial, I'm thinking of ways I can disrupt its life cycle without even touching the plant.

We have hay and compost on our farm here and sometimes dispose of moldy or old hay in our tree line. Nothing grows up through a thick layer of wet hay for years.

I'm thinking of tossing some old hay (we have quite a bit from last year) and layering compost/manure on that, more hay, etc.

My logic is to provide kind of a mechanical barrier between the seeds now on the plant and the ground. Even if some get all the way through they would have a hard time finding the light of day.

And, even if some flowers/new growth appeared, I could cut the flowers off before they have a chance to go to seed.

Then, it is left to time and nature for eventually the stalks of the plants we have now and seeds will become non toxic and/or biodegrade. From what I can tell, this is 4-6 years out but we can easily just stay away from it as well as be on the lookout for more.

Thoughts?

Thx,

Sue

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From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2022 9:36:39 AM
To: Sue Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Poison Hemlock Removal (#0072716)

The Question Asker Replied July 26, 2022, 3:30 PM EDT

Hi I was waiting for another response from one of the Profs but haven’t heard back yet. I did hear from my extension educator though. His suggestion that since it is dead, would be to wear gloves and goggles and to gently cut it back and plastic garbage bag the pieces. Be careful not to shake the seed heads before they are bagged. You might want to do that in conjunction with what you suggested. I would not use your idea as an only measure. Remember poison hemlock is poisonous if ingested. Not only by humans, but also by animals. If my other source gets back to me, I’ll pass on the info

Thanks for allowing me to help with your gardening needs, Replied July 27, 2022, 4:08 PM EDT

Ok thanks for the info.

I'll have to think about this and yes, I'm certainly VERY concerned about the wildlife (and my horses!) that live here....however, I'm completely terrified having had a very close call with it already not knowing what it was. Unless I can find a level 3 biohazard suit, I'm not willing to go near it. I can investigate if I can hire someone but then I don't want them to shake the seeds off everywhere. There are several plants there, some not that easily accessible and all are at least 6 feet high or so, so bagging it up, cutting it and so on, could be a bit of a job.

I'm even wondering if I can somehow spray some sort of commercial, I don't know, paint or solvent or glue or something that would stick to the seeds, or otherwise render them non viable....just thinking of anything I can here.

I'll look forward to what else you find out!

Thx,
Sue

From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2022 4:08 PM
To: Sue Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Poison Hemlock Removal (#0072716)

The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2022, 5:12 PM EDT

Hi Sue, Poison hemlock only hurts you if it is somehow ingested. See above articles. You may have encountered Giant Hogweed in the past. They look similar. GH has a sap that will burn your skin. It blistered it. Here are 2 fact sheets on GH and how to tell the difference.. https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/ohionoxiousweeds/chapter/giant-hogweed-section/

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/state/its-been-a-great-year-for-plant-growth-including-for-a-poisonous-weed-that-can-kill-you

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/horticulture/hogweedlookalikes.shtml

I would not try to glue or put other chemicals on it. Will let you know if I get more info

Thanks for allowing me to help with your gardening needs, Replied July 27, 2022, 6:02 PM EDT

P s. I reached out to the Health Dept and will let you know what they say.

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From: Sue Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2022 7:12:17 PM
To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Poison Hemlock Removal (#0072716)

Ok, but it's that "somehow ingested" part that's a little freaky, like the guy in Ohio who may have gotten it from vapors from cutting it through nasal passage .

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From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2022 6:02:53 PM
To: Sue Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Poison Hemlock Removal (#0072716)

The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2022, 7:17 PM EDT

Ok, but it's that "somehow ingested" part that's a little freaky, like the guy in Ohio who may have gotten it from vapors from cutting it through nasal passage .

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From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2022 6:02:53 PM
To: Sue Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Poison Hemlock Removal (#0072716)

The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2022, 7:17 PM EDT

The news article I found is this. https://local12.com/news/local/man-has-spent-more-than-40-days-on-ventilator-after-handling-invasive-plant-species-cincinnati It says the man weed whacked it (prob not using any protective gear b/c he was cutting back honeysuckle) in May. (During prime growing season). Yours is dead. Wear protective goggles (like in a science lab) and a mask if it makes you feel safer. Make sure you have gloves on though.

Thanks for allowing me to help with your gardening needs, Replied July 28, 2022, 7:56 AM EDT

Ok. Thx.

Sue

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From: askextension=<personal data hidden> <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2022 7:56:30 AM
To: Sue Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Poison Hemlock Removal (#0072716)

The Question Asker Replied July 28, 2022, 10:13 AM EDT

Thanks for allowing me to help with your gardening needs, Replied July 28, 2022, 10:26 AM EDT

Poison Hemlock Removal #802785

Expert Response

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