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It is one of the most aggressive and wide-spread invasive plants in Florida, infesting over 700,000 acres. BPT produces a dense canopy that shades out all other plants providing poor habitat for our native plants and animals.
Control: The best option for BPT removal is Lazy Days for their low cost and long hours of devoted work. We cut it down and spray Galron-4 herbicide on the stumps. Stumps over ¼” will reproduce new plants unless sprayed within minutes of cutting. Galron is used sparingly as it will kill all other plants. There are two insects approved for controlling BPT: Brazilian peppertree thrips and Yellow Brazilian peppertree leaf galler.
One side effect of removing a dense cluster of BPT is the sudden appearance of an unobstructed view which may displease some residents. But this is necessary to eradicate BPT. Nicer plants will grow back shortly. Success requires vigilance.
The Lazy Days BPT eradication program was started by Neil Sheehan in 2002. He nearly succeeded by eliminating about 95% of the BPT in TW by the time he retired after 18 years in 2020.
You can easily tell BPT from the similar Carrotwood by its leaf placement on the stem. Both have apposing leaf pairs (see picture). BPT leaf pairs are always directly opposite each other. Carrotwood’s are not always directly opposite. If you think you may have BPT on or near your property, who ya gonna call? Lazy Days!
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