One of the projects that needs to be undertaken at the Ridge Road House is tackling the Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris, called Cow Parsley in England) that is invading/filling the fields on either side of the house.
As you probably know, an invasive plant is non-native and may tend to overtake native species when it moves into an area. This one came from Europe and is sometimes included in wild flower mixes.
Most people in Vermont know it as something that first showed up in great amounts along the Interstate Highways and was most likely spread from mowing there. Mowing equipment can become 'contaminated' with the seeds, thereby spreading them at the next mowing location. Farmers who mow along the road first and then later mow their fields might carry the seeds into their fields.
In addition, Chervil sap can be irritating to some animals that come into contact with it. The bottom line is, if you want to grown something else in an area where Chervil has invaded, it is pretty difficult to compete with it.
In an article in the White River Valley Herald (all the way back in 2003) Victoria Weber, from Bethel, VT suggested that Randolph, Vermont might be Chervil capital of the state. Vermont now has a sugaring season, a mud season, and a Chervil season (blooming from mid-May until mid-June). After mid-June you can make things worse and increase the spread of it by trying to work with it (since seeds will then be present).
The mystery is why this plant, which has supposedly been reported in the area since the early 1900s has become so aggressive in the 2000s. It doesn't seem to cause such great problems in N.H. Maybe it is simply a factor of time plus mowing methods, then throw in a little climate change intensity which tends to benefit aggressive invasives.
Ironically enough, as I researched whether it is bad for horses to ingest (I want to recreate the paddock in front of the barn eventually), I found this article in "Irish Sport Horse Magazine" 2024, that recommended grazing your horse on Wild Chervil. They seem to relish it like carrots, the article states. Hmm, if they don't develop a rash from it, maybe horses could be suggested as a way to control it...let the horses in there until they continuously eat it all down to dirt.
However an article in Northern Woodlands, May 29, 2005, claims horses and cows don't like it. I would certainly agree that it is not conducive to baling in with hay, since it is a tough, big, herbaceous plant that will likely mold in the hay rather than drying properly.
An article in "Vermont Invasives" describes the plant and suggests control mechanisms. On a small scale you can dig up individual plants, being careful to leave nearby non-invasive native plants intact. The less you disturb the ground, the less likely Wild Chervil seeds will sprout there. Wear gloves, cover your body with long sleeves and pants (the sap can irritate skin). Of course it is a difficult plant to dig up, with strong roots.
On a large scale basis you can try to smother the plants using a combination of cardboard and thick black plastic, though this can take years.
And yes, there are herbicides you could use. Wild Chervil is resistant to many chemicals and you have to have knowledge and training to apply any pesticide. There are risks to native plants, animals, and water supplies. Don't apply during bloom since bees would be affected. Don't apply when windy since you will have drift, etc.
Any one method above is not going to be successful in eliminating Wild Chervil.
It's going to be an interesting experiment. Charlie Cooley will be watching I'm sure.
Wow, great info. Sounds like you need a weed pulling party. Maybe a Boy Scout project for a community servic badge. Will burning the field kill it?
The thing about a house is that there is the house …and then there are the grounds: the barn, the lawn, the trees, the garden…and so on. You are so courageous! You go, girl!
Boy, there's a lot to learn about invasives and not much hope for an easy way to make them go away.