Weed of the month- Broad Leaf Privet

Originally from China and Japan Broad leaf Privet or Tree Privet is regularly seen in ornamental gardens throughout south-east Queensland. It is an invader of disturbed sites and riparian vegetation. It displaces native species by forming dense thickets, destroying native animal habitat and disrupting their access through natural corridors.

Broad leaf Privet has dark green leathery leaves with a paler green underside. They grow in opposite pairs and are up to 14cm long with a pointed tip. Flowers are white and turn to dense bunches of black berries that resemble grapes. The tree can grow up to 15 m tall with closely packed branches.

Privet has very high reproductive rate and produces up to one million seeds per plant, of which 90% are viable. Birds, especially currawongs, eat the ripe fruit and regurgitate the undamaged seed long distances from the parent tree.

Young Privets grow in deep shade beneath a dense canopy of established plants. They grow faster than their native counterparts when light intensity is low, giving them the competitive advantage. Privet is not confined to the escarpment and other bushland areas, healthy specimens are regularly found in private gardens, threatening our rich diversity of plant species.

Privet is a declared Class 3 weed under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002.
Privet is best treated by the cut and paint method which involves cutting the plant close to the ground and painting the cut area of wood immediately with herbicide.