Weed pest in city’s bush

City of Bunbury environmental staff have raised concerns about an invasive weed spotted in bushland and are warning residents about its effects.

An increasing amount of Flinders Range wattle seedlings are being regularly observed in the city’s bushland, according to staff.

The South Australian native tree can become an aggressive weed competing with native plants for nutrients, water and light.

It often creates thickets of trees that smother native vegetation wiping out all other native plants and habitat for native animals.

Introduced wattles often become weeds in bushland when seeds from trees growing in people’s gardens are dropped by birds in nearby bushland areas.

Environmental officer Colin Spencer said the removal of woody tree weeds – including the Flinders Range wattle – could be challenging and expensive.

“We encourage people to think about what they plant in their gardens as they may end up a weed in the bush next door,” Mr Spencer said.