Removal of invasive Himalayan balsam
On the action day, the removal of the Himalayan balsam plants will take place from the northeastern part of the Pääsküla bog conservation area and the edge of the Park Pond. The workers pull the plants out of the ground and collect them in piles on the spot. Plants come out of the ground easily. The work must be done during the flowering of the Himalayan balsam, before fruiting.
Native to India and the Himalayas, the Himalayan balsam belongs to the list of invasive alien species that threaten the natural balance in both Estonia and the European Union. The plant threatens the diversity of our nature and, through it, also rare species. Its coverage area has increased enormously in Estonia over the past 13 years, therefore a control plan for the Himalayan balsam was drawn up and approved in 2018.
The one-year-old plant spreads very quickly and can grow up to three meters in height. Due to its exceptionally beautiful appearance, tall growth and large beautiful pinkish-purple flowers, the plant is very common in gardening. Unfortunately, the Himalayan balsam grows in large, dense colonies, crowding out all other species. Therefore, this species can no longer be grown in the home garden either.
Registration for action day will be opened soon. Additional information is available at: info@greentallinn.eu