Weed of the Week: Scotch broom

It's that time of year when those noxious weeds start showing up and spreading. To educate the community on certain invasive species, we will be highlighting the most common weeds we see. The Noxious Weed Control Board is available to help landowners with information, services and resources to deal with invasive, non-native plant species.

Scotch broom is an evergreen, brushy shrub 3-10 feet tall with stiff green branches year-round, even when it has leaves. Bright yellow, two tipped pea-flowers, sometimes marked with orange or red, appear April through June. This weed also poses a fire hazard due to their volatile oils.

Scotch broom is a Class B noxious weed in Washington State. Control is mandatory in designated areas, primarily in counties in Eastern Washington, and its removal is recommended everywhere else. It is also quarantined, so sale and distribution are illegal.

Controlling Scotch broom can take a lot of work but, in the long run, it's well worth the effort for the natural resources and the land you get back.

If you have questions about Scotch broom or other noxious weeds and their identification and control, we can help. Please contact Andy Lea at 360-795-3852.