The olive tree. Many know it as the provider of tasty fruit, but in bushland around Adelaide, it has become an invasive weed, competing with our native plants for space and nutrients.
Not only that, they are rich in oil and burn with intense heat meaning they increase bushfire risk.
Despite being highly flammable under bushfire conditions, prescribed burns are of a lower intensity and generally aren't effective for controlling olives.
That's why National Parks and Wildlife Service Fire Management have been investing in long term chemical and mechanical control to target olives across out reserves, to reduce fuel levels and improve bushland condition.
Staff and contractors use a range of techniques depending on the location and the age of the olive.
In 2019 we increased our investment in this area working across several parks which were divided into strategic and manageable priorities. Generally our strategy is to work from the upper slopes, pushing olives away from tracks or buildings, then working downslope into gullies.
As with any weed control, we need to monitor and follow up to ensure we achieve our long-term goals and we'll continue doing this into the future.