06. Spotted hemlock - Laserfiche WebLink

1201 Main Avenue West, West Fargo, ND 58078 | www.casscountynd.gov Weed Control Telephone: 701-298-2388 wolfs@casscountynd.gov MEMO TO: County Commission FROM: Stan Wolf Date: January 10, 2023 Subject: Spotted hemlock __________________________________________________________________________________ The Cass County Weed Board at their November 13 meeting moved to start the process to add Spotted hemlock to the county noxious weed list. The request was forwarded to the ND Agricultural Commissioner Doug Goehring for his approval. The approval was granted on November 22, 2023. The ND Century Code provides for county and city weed boards to add certain noxious and troublesome weeds to their county or city weed lists, upon approval of the ND Ag Commissioner. Spotted hemlock is a highly poisonous plant, all parts of the plant are poisonous. As little as 4 to 16 oz. can kill livestock, lesser amounts can cause birth defects of livestock. Handling the plants with bare skin can cause illness, even death of people. Spotted hemlock is listed as noxious in several states, including: Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Spotted hemlock has been identified growing in various areas in the county, primarily in cattail infested areas in the Maple River watershed. Several pasture lands have some spotted hemlock though livestock do not readily graze live plants. Many road ditches are cut for livestock hay which will be a concern for livestock producers if Spotted hemlock is present. Presently about 80 acres are known to be infested. A major infestation was identified in a rural development that had a seasonal waterway in the residential backyards. Homeowners were informed of the presence of the weed and given control options. The attached map shows the areas where Spotted hemlock was identified and controlled in 2023.