Scottish thistle - Ask Extension
My 2 years old pollinator meadow has 3 large Scottish thistle this year. One is over 3 feet tall. Should I get rid of it? I mowed the first year. ...
Knowledgebase
Scottish thistle #874915
Asked June 27, 2024, 8:55 AM EDT
My 2 years old pollinator meadow has 3 large Scottish thistle this year. One is over 3 feet tall. Should I get rid of it? I mowed the first year. I didn't this year because there is a nice variety of native plants that seem to be well established and ready to bloom. These thistle are too big to mow now. I was hoping they were native thistle, but they aren't.
I was thinking of using a small chain saw and round up to the base. Or should I just let them go for the birds.
I have never seen this thistle in the neighborhood. There was bull thistle years ago, but I won that battle.
Carlton County Minnesota
Expert Response
See these web sites. Chain saw and round up is my recommendation.
https://extension.usu.edu/crops/research/identification-and-management-of-scotch-thistle-in-pastures-rangelands-and-non-crop-settings
https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2019/scotch-thistle
https://extension.usu.edu/crops/research/identification-and-management-of-scotch-thistle-in-pastures-rangelands-and-non-crop-settings
https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2019/scotch-thistle