VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Arundo donax | Giant Reed 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Giant reed is grazed lightly by deer [10].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
Giant reed provides nesting and hiding cover for waterfowl and
shorebirds [18] but outcompetes native riparian vegetation that may be
more important to wildlife [17].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Although it is an agressive and oftentimes undesirable species, giant
reed can be planted on landslide scarred areas to prevent soil erosion.
Horton [10] recommended planting it on steep slopes with shallow soil in
sunny areas.  Rhizomes 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm) long can be planted in
furrows 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) deep; stem cuttings 12 to 18 inches
long can also be used.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Giant reed is often planted as an ornamental grass [3].  Its culms have
been used to make lattices, mats, and reeds for musical instruments [9].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Giant reed is considered a nuisance species because it invades riparian
areas and chokes out native vegetation.  If cut or disturbed by
earth-moving machinery it quickly recovers and spreads more aggressively
[15,17].  Herbicides can effectively eradicate giant reed.  Glyphosate
applications during spring, summer, and fall in California were
successful in killing giant reed if applied by the cut-stem method.
Foliar spray methods showed a 10 to 90 percent success rate for killing
plants, compared to a 100 percent success rate for the cut-stem method [7].

Giant reed is dependent on frequent flooding, and a few years of drought
have kept plants from spreading in parts of the Southwest [17].

Related categories for Species: Arundo donax | Giant Reed