Hawkins Landscaping will be spraying herbicides to control the Japanese knotweed along the Thurmont Trolley Trail on Tuesday September 19 beginning at 7AM. The Trolley Trail between Moser Road and Water Street will be closed while spraying operations are ongoing. Any updated information will be posted to the following sites:
- Facebook Pages: Town of Thurmont, Thurmont Green Team, Thurmont Main Street, Thurmont Police, Thurmont Parks & Recreation Commission
- Websites: Town of Thurmont, Thurmont Main Street
- Local Comcast Channel 99
Japanese knotweed is considered an invasive species and spreads rapidly, forming dense thickets that crowd and shade out native vegetation. This reduces species diversity, alters natural ecosystems, and negatively impacts wildlife habitat. The ground under knotweed thickets tends to have very little other growth, making the bare soil very susceptible to erosion. Once established, populations of Japanese knotweed are extremely persistent and difficult to eradicate. Without treatment, this invasive plant can eventually take over the surrounding ecosystem. Information on the herbicide being used may be obtained by contacting the Town of Thurmont Municipal Offices at (301)-271-7313, ext. 204.
If you’re interested in learning more about this invasive plant, join Cindy Poole of the University of Maryland-Frederick County Master Gardeners and member of the Thurmont Green Team, as she presents an informative session on the Invasive Japanese Knotweed that is prevalent along the Thurmont Trolley Trail. The talk will be on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 7 PM in the Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E Moser Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788.