Detailed information sheet

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Botanical name : Ligustrum lucidum Family : Oleaceae (olive) family  Common name : tree privet  Also known as : Japanese privet, broadleaf privet  Where is it originally from? : Temperate and tropical regions, China What does it look like? : Small-to-large evergreen, hairless tree to 15+ m (sometimes a dense shrub) with distinctive lumpy warts on the stems. Dark green leaves (5-13 x 3-6 cm) are glossy on the top surface and arranged in opposite pairs on the stems. Tiny fragrant, creamy flowers make up flowerheads (25 x 20 cm) produced from November to March and are followed by bluish or purplish-black berry-like fruit (6 x 5 mm) coated with a powdery ‘bloom’.  Are there any similar species? : Camphor laurel and native Nestegis species (maire) are similar.  Why is it weedy? : Produces many highly-viable seeds in widely-dispersed berries. Fast-growing, very long-lived (100 years +) and forms very dense, tall stands. Very tolerant to shade, frost, damage, grazing, all well-drained soil types, high to moderate temperatures, damp or drought conditions, salt, and wind. How does it spread? : Birds, vegetation dumping and soil movement all spread seeds. Common seed sources are roadsides, farm and urban hedges, gardens, and wasteland.  What damage does it do? : Forms dense carpet of seedlings on forest floor, and grows through understorey to dominate and replace canopy trees in most forest types. Forms pure associations. Poisonous berries may possibly impact on native fauna, especially insects.  Which habitats is it likely to invade? : Most coastal and lowland forest types (intact and disturbed); shrublands, fernland, cliffs, and coastline.  What can I do to get rid of it? : Firstly ensure correct identification. 1. Pull or dig seedlings (all year round). Leave on site to rot down. 2. Cut and paint stump (within 15 minutes of cutting): glyphosate (200ml/L) or metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/10L + penetrant) or Tordon Brushkiller (200ml/L) 3. Frilling:  With a sharp chisel or axe, make a deep cut into the sapwood at regular intervals around the base of the tree, taking care not to ring-bark the plant.  Immediately saturate the cuts with metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (5g/10L + penetrant) or undiluted Tordon Brushkiller. 4. Injection method: Holes are drilled sloping into the sapwood at regular intervals around the tree. Immediately saturate the holes with metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (5g/10L + penetrant) or undiluted Tordon Brushkiller). 5. Spray (spring-autumn): metsulfuron-methyl 600g/kg (5g/10L + penetrant). What can I do to stop it coming back? : Untreated stumps resprout. Reseeds profusely in bared areas.  Follow up 6-monthly, easiest to spot during spring flowering. Don’t replant until seedling regrowth ceases, as privet will grow through groundcover.

For more detailed botanical descriptions of weed species, check out the Plant Conservation Network's website at http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/index.asp

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*The chemical control methods in this manual were devised by Department of Conservation staff for Department of Conservation operations and should not be used as a substitute for the pesticide manufacturer's label instructions. The Department of Conservation takes no responsibility for any liability or damage to any person, property or thing which may occur as a result of the use of any pesticide in accordance with the chemical control methods contained on this website.

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