Michigan Horsemen P.L.U

 Over the { YEARS}  of the Pigeon River State Forest the DRN/NRC have planted in the medows  Non-Native Plants.

Plants such as Buck-wheat....a Non-Native Plant to this area
Radishes....another Non- Native Plant to this Area
along with the Non- Native Plants they have also Introduced  Non_Native Animals
such as the Rocky Mountain ELK ......a Non-Native Animal to the Pigeon River State Forest

Now comes along the DNR/NRC in 2008 making FALSE statements of horses spreading
Non-Native Plants through out the State Forest.

below you will find a link to a PDF file that is a report of a study done on horses spreading
Non- Native Plants. and I might add NONE of the HORSEMEN in the State of Michigan have ever seen documentation from the DNR/NRC  on the ALLEGED horse spreading non-native plants through out the Pigeon River State Forest.

http://www.backcountryhorse.com/docs/AERC_Final_Rpt_Verfinal.pdf

  Here is a List of NON_Native Plants and Animals that the DNR have Planted in the PRC!

                 Autumn Olive / Russian Olive 

                                              Invasive Plants

                          Elaeagnus umbellata / Elaeagnus angustifolia
                                              (Oleaster Family)

                         Threats to Native Habitats

In New England, autumn olive has escaped from cultivation and is progressively invading natural areas. It is a particular threat to open and semiopen areas. Russian olive may also escape from cultivation, but so far is less common. Both autumn olive and Russian olive tolerate poor soil conditions and may alter the processes of natural succession. The nitrogen-fixing capabilities of these species can interfere with the nitrogen cycle of native communities that may depend on infertile soils. Both species produce large amounts of fruit, which are readily consumed and dispersed by birds. Autumn olive resprouts vigorously after fire or cutting. Over time, colonies of these shrubs can grow thick enough to crowd out native plants. Highway plantings of these high-fruiting species lure birds close to fast traffic, contributing to high mortality rates for some species of birds.

                                     Description

Autumn olive is a large deciduous shrub that can grow to 20 feet. Leaves are alternately arranged, elliptic to lanceolate (shaped like a lance head), and smooth-edged. Mature leaves have a dense covering of lustrous silvery scales on the lower surface. Stems and buds also have silvery scales. Flowers are small, creamy white to yellow and tubular in shape; they grow in small clusters. The abundant fruits look like small pink berries, also with silvery scales. Autumn olive is easily confused with Russian olive, which has many similar characteristics. Unlike autumn olive, Russian olive often has stiff peg-like thorns, and has silvery scales coating both sides of its mature leaves.

                                          Habitat

Autumn olive is somewhat drought tolerant and does well on a variety of soils including sand, loam and clay. Russian olive will grow along streams, and in fields and open areas. Both species can quickly colonize infertile soils, out competing native woody species that grow more slowly on those sites. 

                                       Distribution

Autumn olive is native to eastern Asia and was introduced to the United States for ornamental cultivation in the 1800s. It now grows in most northeastern and upper midwest states. Russian olive was also introduced into the U.S. in the 1800s for horticultural purposes, and subsequently escaped into the wild. Russian olive is generally more widespread in the U.S., except in northern New England, where it is less common than autumn olive

                                          Control

The best method of controlling these species is to prevent them from becoming established. Plants should be removed as soon possible if they are found newly colonizing an area. Small plants and seedlings can be hand-pulled, especially when the soil is moist. Herbicide treatment is probably the best method for eradicating larger, well-established plants, as cutting only stimulates sprouting and leads to thicker growth. Herbicide options include cut-stump and foliar applications. A cut-stump treatment is done by cutting the trunk of the shrub near the base and applying (painting) a 10- to 20-percent solution of glyphosate-based herbicide to the cut area of the stump. The herbicide is absorbed into the roots where it kills the plant. A foliar application of a one- to two-percent solution of glyphosate should eliminate smaller patches. A late summer application is recommended for both herbicide treatment types. Use herbicides responsibly and follow manufacturer’s directions. Contact the Maine Department of Agriculture for information on restrictions that apply to the use of herbicides. Consult a licensed herbicide applicator before applying herbicides over large areas

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 Buckwheat is believed to have originated in Central and Western China.  It is now a relatively minor crop in the United States.  Average acreage grown, 1960-64 inclusive, was about 57,000.  This contrasts with near one million acres 50 years earlier. Present production is probably under one million bushels, though exact data are lacking.

The buckwheat plant is entirely different from other grains and is not a grass. It is a summer annual with rather coarse, branched stems and large, broadly arrow-shaped leaves. Flower panicles and leaves rise from the nodes, both on the main stem and branches. Growth habit is indeterminate with flowers opening throughout a long season, so the seed crop does not mature at one time. The seed is partially but not entirely enclosed by adhering flower parts during development.

Buckwheat is usually seeded only after the ground is thoroughly warm in early summer. Plants will begin blooming in about 40 days from seeding and first seeds mature about 35 days later. Harvesting is done when a substantial part of the seed is ripe. Fields are then mowed and plants are stacked to dry before they can be threshed.

Seeds are pointed, broad at the base, and triangular to nearly round in cross section. They vary in size in different kinds from about 4 mm at maximum width and 6 mm. long to 2 mm. wide and 4 mm. long. The seed consists of an outer layer or hull, an inner layer, the seed coat proper, and within this a starchy endosperm and the germ. In milling the hull, which comprises 18 to 20 percent of the whole grain weight, is first removed. A second milling removes most of the seed coat or "middlings" which comprise 4 to 18 percent of the whole grain weight - depending on how completely the seed coat tissues are removed. In most buckwheat flour some of the seed coat particles remain, resulting in a light brown color. More complete milling results in a white flour.

The Japanese buckwheat is most widely grown in this country. The seeds are large, brown in color, and triangular in cross section. Plants are tall, rather coarse growers with large, broad arrow-shaped leaves.

Silverhull plants are smaller than Japanese with smaller leaves. The seeds are small, nearly round in cross section, glossy and gray in color. The hulls are thinner than in Japanese. A kind tenned Common Gray is probably identical with Silverhull.

Tartary buckwheat has small seeds, nearly round in cross section. Color varies from gray to black. The hull may be smooth to rough and spiny. Leaves are relatively small, narrow and arrow-shaped. Plants may be almost viny in habit. The flour from Tartary buckwheat is inferior to that from Japanese or Silverhull.

Wing-seeded buckwheat is similar to Japanese except that the hull at the angles of the seed is extended to form a wing. It is not normally planted, but may be present as a mixture in other kinds.

Uses of Buckwheat

Most of the buckwheat grown in the United States is milled into flour which is used largely in pancakes. For pancakes the flour is usually blended with that from other grains. Whole buckwheat grain may be used in poultry scratch feed mixtures. The middlings from milling make good livestock feed as they are high in protein. The straw is higher in protein but lower in digestible carbohydrates than grass grain straw.

The buckwheat plant is an excellent honey source as the blossoms are rich in nectar, and blooming continues into the fall months. Some beekeepers plant buckwheat primarily for such use.

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                                          RADISHES IN PRC.......YEP

                                                                  ELK IN PRC