Wild Brambles in Bramble Plantings
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Wild brambles (Rubus spp.) are perennial natives to Kentucky and easily spread to managed plantings by wildlife that feed on the fruit. Because of visual similarities between cultivated and wild brambles, it can be difficult to distinguish between them. It is important to control these native invaders because they will not have the characteristics that the grower is looking for and can harbor disease pathogens, such as viruses.
Wild thorny brambles (lighter-colored leaves) growing in a planting of cultivated thornless blackberries (darker leaves).
(Photo: John Strang, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Cut stems and follow with an application of glyphosate when plants are young and before they form root grafts with the planted brambles.
