Show Russian Olive Trees Pose Pope Threat I By Nyle Matthews Extension Agent Russian olive trees originally planted for or shade and wind brake purposes now pres- pres nt nt a threat to much of the ago ag- agricultural land in Uintah County Coun- Coun County ty These growing fast trees spread by the thousands from seeds produced by the female trees trees and are a serious lam lem along ditch banks road road- roadways ways and in pastures where suf suf- suf sufficient water is available for or their growth AREAS MOST affected by the Olive trees are arc Gusher mud Montez Creek Naples and Davis wards and along th Green River in Jensen Lesser problems exist in other parts of he county Russian Olive trees become along alog h s nd use valuable water They make ditch dit h cleaning extremely difficult In pastures the trees prevent livestock from graz- graz ng ng on hundreds of acres THE TREES were brought to toh h county many years ago They were recommended by agricultural advisors for shade and because of their heir rapid growth and hardi hardi- hardiness ness Since this time the hardi hardi- hardiness ness and fast spread of these tr trees es have made them one of oC he biggest pests in the county Farm individuals and groups in Ashley Valley now seek to this pest from from our The County Commission Commission- rs have taken action against Russian olive trees by placing them on the noxious weed list They have further stated that they will do all in their power to control Russian olive trees which grow on county proper ty THE UINTAH County Farm arm Bureau has been active in orga izing meetings for the discus discus- discussion ion sion of this problem Lawrence Lee secretary said the Farm Bureau recognizes the serious problem presented by this pest We believe as other memo mem- members bers in the state do that every member should concern himself I with this problem which is damaging the productivity of areas throughout the state of Utah II Lynn Richens Naples farm farm- farmer er who was one of the first to speak out against the Russian olive trees made the following comment when asked why Rus Rus- Rus Russian sian olive trees were a lem Russian olives like nIl all other noxious weeds or plants cannot be confined confine 1 to a definite area Large tracts of land high highly ly Iy infested with Russian olives have little or no agricultural value II SOME farmers have already begun work on controlling Rus Rus- Rus Russian sian olive trees but they have found their eradication very difficult because they become from Crom trees located on adjacent property or upstream on ditches Mike 1 Ruppe has done much to control the trees on his pro pro- property perty Two or three years ago he only had a few trees but last summer lie he uprooted more than young trees with lIh his bis tractor A Asked ke why by the trees were such buCh a problem to him Mr Ruppe Huppe said they grow so 50 thick and they are ara so thorny that the livestoCk cant can't get in among them to grate If I had hadnot hadnot not have cleaned them out I Imay Imay may just a as well have moved moral away A Russian sian olive tree control committee it tee made up Ull of roach roach- rs county weed control loed leed rs and various organizations 3 presently being organized his committee will encourage rge arge scale control of Russian dive trees throughout the Uin Uin- lh ah County It will also dis dis- dis information about me me- sods of eradicating these trees nd will develop new Ion Russian olive trees are just me of the many noxious weeds are gradually choking out portions of Uintah County's val table farm land These weeds can an only be controlled through cooperation of all land owners In the county |