Hello Denise,

First, it is important to confirm that identity of the plant species that you are dealing with in your woodland lot. At MSU, we can assist with such plant identification if you want to send us pictures of the Garlic Mustard, Devil’s Darning Needles, Tall Thistle and Bindweed in a follow up email.

It is recommended that you reach out to your local conservation district to ensure that you have confirmed the identity of these four species and that they are invasive. Your local Conservation District Office is located at 5950 Portage Rd, Portage, Michigan 49002. Their phone number is<personal data hidden>. They have a Barry, Calhoun, Kalamazoo Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (BCK-CISMA) which might be able to give you sound advice on how to manage and control these identified plant species. Here is more information on this program on their website: https://www.kalamazooconservation.org/bck-cisma

You could also go to MInvasives website directly here: https://www.michiganinvasives.org/bckcisma/

You can reach out to Sara Rahn (nee Huetteman) who works for BCKCISMA. Her phone number is<personal data hidden> and her email is <personal data hidden>

Second, once you have confirmed the identity of the species you are dealing with, then we recommend that you look for viable resources through university extension offices. Below I have some resources that will help you once you have the correct species.

Garlic mustard resources sheet on their website is here: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/invasive-species/GarlicMustardBCP.pdf

Michigan State University Extension has many resources on the management of Garlic Mustard. Here is one: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garlic-mustard-management-options This resource talks about prescribed burns which I am not sure if this would be a great idea in your woods.

Here is a video on Garlic Mustard management controls by Illinois Extension Forestry here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqyuTFACHd0

When pulling the seed heads off Garlic Mustard, you need to get the whole plant and throw them directly & carefully into thick black plastic bags that will be taken to the landfill. Garlic mustard seeds can lie dormant in the soil for 10 years. Herbicides for large areas can be applied in early spring (before flowering) or late fall when the plants are in the rosette stage. Always follow the herbicide label when applying herbicide since it is the law.

Devil’s darning needles, aka virgin’s bower Clematis virginiana here:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/clematis-virginiana/

might be sweet autumn clematis, an invasive form- called sweet clematis (C. terniflora) so here: https://learn.misin.msu.edu/webapp/facts/detail/?project=misin&id=408&cname=Sweet+autumn+clematis

The native virgin’s bower is here: https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/abstracts/botany/Clematis_occidentalis.pdf

Japanese Clematis (Sweet Autumn Clematis) that is very invasive. You can view this article to determine which you have here: https://www.mc-iris.org/sweet-autumn-clematis.html or here: https://learn.misin.msu.edu/webapp/facts/detail/?project=misin&id=408&cname=Sweet+autumn+clematis

Tall Thistle (Cirsium altissimum) resource is here:

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cirsium-altissimum/

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) resource is here:

https://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/38

Swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum) resource is here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/nativeplants/uploads/files/Swamp_thistle.pdf

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) resource is here:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/bull-thistle-cirsium-vulgare

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) resources are here:

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/field_bindweed

https://www.canr.msu.edu/foodsystems/uploads/files/fieldbindweed.pdf

https://www.canr.msu.edu/uploads/files/Field%20bindweed.pdf

Thirdly, what is being done on the 11 acres of woodland? Are the soil and vegetation being distributed in some way? Are there many trails, parking areas, transportation corridors or recreational sites off road in your woods? Controlling soil disturbance helps control the spread of Garlic Mustard and other species to unestablished areas in the woods

Thank you for your question. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

Lisa P

MSU Extension Advanced Master Gardener