Here comes that nasty waxy yellow flower again…
Editor,
Oregon Department of Agriculture has long been concerned about the spread of invasive “Lesser Celandine” in Oregon’s northern counties and found in many yards in Eastmoreland. This plant is known by many names – officially Ranunculus ficaria, but also Fig buttercup, bulbous buttercup, and small crowfoot. The Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Control Program classifies it as a Class “B” weed. A class B weed “is regionally abundant, but which may have limited distribution in some counties.” The B classification policy guidance states “Limited to intensive control at the state, county or regional level as determined on a site specific, case-by-case basis.”
Eastmoreland is blessed with many large deciduous trees which form an excellent habitat for Lesser Celandine. The Linden Allee along Reed College Place has several infestations which are being treated successfully by a one day/once-per-year spot application of an herbicide called Q4 Turf Herbicide. The weed is treated on a plant-by-plant basis by our landscape service, which is bonded, licensed, and insured, and is well aware of best practices in the use of herbicides. Directions for use are set out in the product’s label. Violation of such instructions is a federal crime. Neither Roundup nor any other glyphosate-based products are being used.
Information on control of Lesser Celandine is set out in “Invasive Plant: Lesser Celandine” a guide published by the City of Portland Environmental Services Department. Similar materials are available through the 4-County alliance of governments and utilities serving the Portland/Vancouver area.
Lesser Celandine is a formidable competitor to native species in lawns and gardens. It blooms early, generally before the trees grow leaves. The plant reproduces both above the surface and below, making manual control challenging. After displacing other plants, it dies off in late spring, leaving the topsoil to be eroded by summer irrigation and fall rains. Erosion is a pivotal risk since it results in muddy ponding, eliminates the following year’s groundcover and can damage linden trees by exposing the trees’ roots.
The official references recommend two control methods: manual removal [dig it all out] or treatment with herbicides. Lesser Celandine can be manually excavated down to its roots when it first appears in February or March. If you have more than a few plants, this is a very expensive procedure and often is difficult if the plant is growing among other desirable plants such as trees. Disposal of the plant’s remains is also challenging since it can infect other areas if simply placed in yard debris or mulching containers. [Put it in the garbage instead.] Alternatively, herbicides can be applied directly to the plant when it emerges. This is a once-a-year application. Since the plant is quite hardy, this is a multi-year process. Our experience on Reed College Place is that this approach is gradually eliminating the infestation.
We encourage our neighbors to eliminate this noxious weed in their own yards to prevent spread – either manually, or with the judicious use of herbicides if manual removal is problematic.
Robert McCullough, Sally Campbell,
Jerry Betty, Rod Merrick
Eastmoreland
EDITOR’S NOTE: We’ve written several articles about this very noxious, rapidly spreading weed over the years – we see infestations here and there in every single neighborhood in Southeast Portland. If you see it starting, get out the shovel and dig it all up – roots and all – and put it in the garbage, NOT the green recycling bin!
Trail in Sellwood is still unfinished
Editor,
I’ve lived in the Sellwood-Westmoreland neighborhood since 1990s and have enjoyed the Springwater Corridor Trail since before it was improved and paved. At that time, the trail was primarily dirt and gravel. Over the years, the trail's upgrades have made it a valuable resource for our community, supporting multi-use activities and connecting neighborhoods all the way to Boring. However, there remains one crucial unfinished section of the trail – between S.E. 13th and 17th – that has yet to be completed.
As some may recall, the railroad tracks were moved in some sections to facilitate the paving and expansion of the trail, including the section between 13th and 17th near Ochoco Street. Despite preliminary work done years ago, this particular stretch remains incomplete. People frequently end up searching for the trail in this area, often using adjacent streets to find access points at S.E. 13th or S.E. 19th. Improvements such as new signage, speed bumps, and the cessation of TriMet use on S.E. Linn Street have helped, but the gap still remains.
In addition to the trail being interrupted and not usable in this section, other major problems include recurring vandalism such as tagging, illegal dumping, and other disruptive activities. These issues were serious enough to have caused a small fire near our home. The unfinished nature of this area seems to invite these negative behaviors.
I remember discussions at a SMILE meeting several years ago about potential solutions, particularly concerning the safety and engineering challenges posed by the railroad crossing and the intersection at S.E. 17th. Proposals included creating an underpass, or converting Linn Street into a one-way street to reduce traffic – but these ideas have yet to materialize.
At a minimum, paving this section would significantly improve accessibility. Additional safety features, such as clear signage and a well-marked, flashing light crossing at S.E. 17th, would help direct users safely across the street to 19th, where the trail resumes. This would align with the infrastructure already in place on other parts of the trail to the east.
I hope this issue can receive the attention it deserves, and that we can finally complete this important link in the Springwater Corridor Trail for the benefit of everyone in our community.
Pete Morones
Sellwood
Appreciated article
Editor,
It was great to see THE BEE’s article on the new traffic improvement at S.E. 14th and Bybee [January BEE]. A correction, however: There will be a crosswalk painted. . . I recently checked in with PBOT Project Manager Abra McNair, and there does not seem to be reason to worry that the developer has abandoned the job. The cones are probably there because it is still considered traffic construction in progress, which they need to mark with certain high visibility appurtenances.
Grant Huling
SMILE Transportation Committee Chair
EDITOR’S NOTE: The newly-constructed crossing, without official crosswalk striping, seems completely adequate to provide a path and a refuge for students who choose to cross Bybee Boulevard there – but, due to the blind curve on the west side of the intersection, it remains a hazardous place for them to do so. It seems to THE BEE that adding official crosswalk striping there would be unwise; it would invite confidence in a safer crossing there for Llewellyn students than it really is – a degree of confidence that probably always will be unjustified at that particular spot.
Make judiciary pass exams
Editor,
The faith of the American public in the important “third branch of government” – the judiciary – is low. . . I think we need to address this by mandating that no one in Oregon may take the bench until and unless they have passed a tough examination on civil procedure, criminal procedure, constitutional law, and the evidence code. Anyone who cannot pass doesn’t belong on the bench. It might be a step in the direction of restoring people’s faith in our democracy.
Deni Starr, J.D.
S.E. Francis Street
