Editor,
Here we are, all loving life on our idyllic, rural island with our horses, cattle and other livestock. And we have a serious problem growing right under our noses, in our yards, and along the highway — the poster child of noxious weeds, tansy ragwort.
If your next-door neighbor was away and his lawn was on fire, would you kindly spray some water on it? This plant is biologic fire. It propagates very rapidly, overtaking everything in its path.
Tansy ragwort is poisonous to livestock. You can easily see it standing alone in pastures well nibbled down by the occupants. They will not eat it, but if it gets into a hay field and mixed with their only food over the winter, they will die horribly of liver failure.
The State of Washington requires property owners to control this plant.
When you see it, say something.
Better yet, pull the weed, put it in a plastic bag and take it to the transfer station, where they will take it for free.
The link below is a path to report large infestations to the state. But they are overwhelmed. So print the flyer and take it to your neighbor and offer to help eradicate it.
During a recent trip up the island to Coupeville, I saw a lot of patches of this plant around Freeland and all along the highway.
I am sure there are other patches deeper in the woods unseen from the highway.
All compassion for animals aside, it is reducing property values and poisoning our soil. If your child picks it and brings you a lovely yellow bouquet, wash their hands immediately. Tansy has a stinky scent released from the stem and roots, like a sour geranium smell.
Everything is coming ripe early this year, including tansy.
Pull it up! Pull it up! Pull it up!
Doe Stahr
Clinton
