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The CSU Extension in Gilpin County helps mountain residents improve their quality of life by offering a website, classes and programs that provide unbiased, research-based information on forestry, wildfire, wildlife, mountain gardening, noxious weeds and many other issues. Through our 4-H programs, we help youth develop life skills through leadership opportunities.

Canada Thistle   arrow

Canada thistle (Cirsium (Breea) arvense)

Canada thistle Cirsium (Breea) arvense

Aggressive creeping perennial.

Reproduces by seed and also readily from roots. In Gilpin County, plants start going to seed in August.

It is difficult to control because its extensive root system allows it to recover from control attempts.

Combining control methods is the best form of Canada thistle management.

The key principle to Canada thistle control is to stress

the plant and force it to exhaust root nutrient stores.

Mowing or pulling alone is not effective unless conducted at one-month intervals over several growing seasons.Cirsium (Breea) arvense

If you do spray, do it in the fall after pulling or mowing once earlier in the season. Do not allow the plant to go to seed.

Contact Gilpin CSU Extension or a licensed applicator for herbicide recommendations. Always apply according to the herbicide label.

Please note that there are some native thistles, which are not noxious plants.

Other Links For Further Information:

http://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/natural-resources/canada-thistle-3-108/

http://www.cwma.org/CanadaThistle.html

http://mtweed.org/weeds/canada-thistle/

Extension Office is Open Under Strict Guidelines

Visits are by appointment only.