Environment

Privet

Tree privet.Tree privet.

Common names:
Privet – tree privet
Chinese privet

 

Scientific name:
Ligustrum lucidum
Ligustrum sinense

 

Regional classification:
Only boundary control adjacent to roadside and could be enforced if roading authority has an active control programme in place

 

National classification:
National Pest Plant Accord – banned from being sold, propagated or distributed

Description

Chinese privet.Chinese privet.

There are two species of privet in Northland:

  • Tree privet - Ligustrum lucidum
  • Chinese privet - Ligustrum sinense

Both species are widespread throughout the region and are considered major weeds of the environment and a human health hazard.

 

 

TREE PRIVET

 

Tree privet is a large shrub or tree reaching 10 metres or more in height.

 

Stems:

  • usually have small warty lumps

Leaves:

  • arranged in opposite pairs
  • broadleaf and glossy
  • paler underside

Flowers:

  • tiny, cream-coloured
  • strongly scented
  • appear from January to March
  • replaced in autumn by masses of small, purplish black berries, coated with powdery bloom

CHINESE PRIVET

 

Chinese privet is a shrub or small tree growing to 5 metres.

 

Stems:

  • small warty lumps
  • smooth grey bark

Leaves:

  • appear in opposite pairs
  • narrow leaf and oval shaped
  • occasionally have wavy edges

Flowers:

  • small and white in colour
  • strongly scented
  • appear from August to November
  • berries are small, dull and purplish-black

The related yellow privet, Ligustrum ovalifolium, is a native of Japan, despite sometimes being called Californian privet.

 

It is commonly seen as a hedge in Northland and although it is not invasive, it does cause human health problems like the other privet species.

Why is it a problem?

Many bird species eat privet berries, and seeds are spread widely throughout Northland.

 

Privet is also spread in contaminated topsoil, water flow and in dumped garden refuse.

 

Privet occurs mainly in hedges and on roadsides but can be found in wasteland, native forests and forest margins, exotic plantations, along stream edges and on farmland.

 

Privet forms dense seedling masses, eventually growing and replacing all other vegetation.

 

Trees live for a long time, with some trees over 120 years old. Privet leaves and berries are toxic to livestock and humans.

 

Privet pollen is not a common allergen, but its strong perfume causes similar symptoms to allergies, including sore eyes, sneezing and breathing difficulties.

 

This irritant reaction affects many people but occurs only during exposure to the perfume and does not persist like an allergy.  Nevertheless the effects of the perfume can be very debilitating to sufferers.

What can I do?

Keep livestock away from wilting privet as it is more attractive to stock but no less poisonous.

 

Clear all privet from your section, farm or other property. Get together with neighbours to clean up your street, town or rural area.

 

Adopt a local bush reserve to help rid your area of privet.

Your responsibility

Tree privet and Chinese privet are both pest plants in Northland and cannot be legally propagated or distributed in any way.

 

The long term goal is to minimise the human health and environmental effects of privet.

Recommended control methods

Recommended approaches:

  1. Pull or dig seedlings.
  2. Cut & stump paint (1g metsulfuron/1L).
  3. All year round drill 1 hole per 20cm stem diameter & fill each hole with 2g metsulfuron (dissolved in approx 50ml water).
  4. Spray spring autumn, (5g metsulfuron+10ml penetrant/10L).

Disposal:

  • Firstly ensure correct identification.
  • Easy to kill with metsulfuron.
  • Follow up 6-monthly; easiest to spot during spring flowering.
  • Don’t replant until seedling regrowth ceases, as privet will grow through groundcover.

Caution: When using any herbicide PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed. 

More information

For further information or control advice please contact one of our Biosecurity Officers at the Northland Regional Council on 0800 002 004:

  • Whangarei: Ken Massey
  • Dargaville: Peter Joynt
  • Kaitaia: Doug Foster

 

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