Grooming / Mulching

Gorse Management

Grooming or mulching involves cutting the gorse into pieces using a mulching head, hammer hill, groomer or similar attached to an excavator or an articulated arm on a backhoe.

Mulching is useful for treating gorse on steep land. The mulched gorse can inhibit gorse from re-establishing while the roots remain in the soil because it ‘smothers’ any regrowth. Some landowners employ a commercial contractor together to share the costs.

Control Method Rating

Cost

Low | Medium | High

Efficacy

• • •

When

Grooming/mulching can be performed all year but avoid wet conditions for safety. The machinery used in grooming/mulching can also cause sparks so should not be undertaken during fire danger days.

Pros & Cons

Grooming/mulching will not kill gorse but is useful for reducing and managing dense and mature gorse patches. It does not disturb the soil so reduces the risk of erosion but the gorse roots will continue to grow.

Follow up

Check for and treat regrowth and new seedlings. Regrowth should be at least 40 centimetres high before treating so it can absorb the herbicide effectively. Revegetate mulched areas so other plants compete with gorse regrowth. Burning the decaying mulch after a year may be a cost effective follow up control method.

Other Control Methods

Herbicidal Control

Mechanical Control

Alternative Methods

More Information

Working with contractors for effective gorse management

Working with contractors (print-friendly version)

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Cultural Heritage Awareness

Landholders must be careful to avoid further damage to the environment (including waterways) and Aboriginal cultural heritage sites when using machinery. Be aware of your legal obligations and obtain the necessary permits. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage may be found during works at any time, at any place.

If suspected heritage is discovered, work is to cease and a Preliminary Report Form must be completed and sent to vahr@dpc.vic.gov.au. If you are unsure, seek advice from Agriculture Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, First Peoples – State Relations (formerly Aboriginal Victoria) or your local council.

Disclaimer

The information provided by this website is intended for general information only and should not be relied on or used as a substitute for professional advice for your particular situation.

Before undertaking any weed or rabbit management, always obtain advice from a qualified expert, with respect to your own situation. Always read and follow the label before using any of the products mentioned and ensure that you are undertaking weed and rabbit management in the appropriate conditions and in the appropriate manner.

We do not guarantee this website is without flaw of any kind, or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes, and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information contained on the website for any purpose.

This project is an initiative of the Victorian Gorse Taskforce, the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network and is funded a project by the Australian Government Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper in collaboration with Agriculture Victoria.

Gorse Management