Velvety tree pear is a tree-like cactus whose pads are covered in fine velvety hairs. It outcompetes pasture grasses and native plants.
This weed belongs to the group Prickly pears - Opuntias
This plant is a Weed of National Significance
This plant must not be sold anywhere in NSW
Velvety tree pear is an invasive cactus that:
It forms dense thickets which:
Young plants sometimes have spines and all have barbed bristles which can injure livestock. There is one case of suspected poisoning in cattle due to cyanogenic glycosides in velvety tree pear.
Velvety tree pear is a tree-like cactus that grows 2–6 m tall. Its trunk can have a diameter of up to 50 cm.
Cacti pads have bumps on the surface called areoles. Barbed bristles (glochids), spines, leaves, flowers, fruit, roots and new shoots all grow out of the areoles.
Velvety tree pear looks similar to some other prickly pears:
In NSW, velvety tree pear grows in the North West and Greater Sydney regions.
It is native to central Mexico. It has been in Australia since at least 1912 and may have been introduced as an ornamental plant.
Velvety tree pear grows in subtropical, semi-arid and warm temperate climates. It is very drought tolerant. It grows in
The seeds of velvety tree pear are viable and will sprout when there is enough moisture. Seeds can remain dormant in dry conditions for at least 18 months. Birds and other animals, including foxes, eat the fruit and spread the seeds in their droppings. Seeds can also be spread downstream by water.
Velvety tree pear can regrow from pad segments, fruit and flowers. If the pads have spines they can spread by attaching to animals, footwear and vehicles. Plants can also spread by people dumping garden waste.
Harvey, K.J., McConnachie, A.J. Sullivan, P. Holtkamp, R. and Officer, D. (2021). Biological control of weeds: a practitioner's guide for south east Australia. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange.
McKenzie, R. (2020). Australia's poisonous plants, fungi and cyanobacteria: A guide to species of medical and veterinary importance. CSIRO PUBLISHING.
Olvera-Carrillo, Y., Márquez-Guzmán, J., Barradas, V. L., Sánchez-Coronado, M. E., & Orozco-Segovia, A. (2003). Germination of the hard seed coated Opuntia tomentosa SD, a cacti from the México valley. Journal of Arid Environments, 55(1), 29-42.
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 30 September 2021 from https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Opuntia~tomentosa
Sheehan, M. R., & Potter, S. (2017). Managing Opuntioid Cacti in Australia: Best Practice Control Manual for Austrocylindropuntia, Cylindropuntia and Opuntia Species. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
To help prevent the spread of velvety tree pear:
Dispose of velvety tree pear by burying it at least 1 m deep or by burning in a hot fire. Check disposal sites regularly and control any seedlings. Contact your local council for information about other disposal options.
Dig up small or isolated plants using a mattock or other tools. Wear appropriate protective clothing and gloves to protect against injuries from the spines and bristles.
Dense infestations or very large plants may be controlled by machinery if the site is not environmentally sensitive and access is suitable. Ensure the roots are dug out and that all plant parts are disposed of. Ensure that the machinery is cleaned of any plants part before leaving the site.
The cochineal insect, Dactylopius opuntiae ‘stricta’ lineage can control velvety tree pear after several years. Cutting large plants (over 2 m tall) and stacking the stems will speed up control.
Biological control is suitable for areas that are environmentally sensitive, too difficult to access or where other methods would be too expensive. Cochineal insects are less effective on scattered infestations and may require redistribution at these sites.
There are several species of cochineal that look very similar. It is important to use the correct species of cochineal for each species of cactus. Contact your local council weeds officer for information about using cochineal to control cactus.
Herbicides are especially useful for sparse, scattered infestations. Spray actively growing plants. Cover all parts of the plant with herbicide to the point of visible wetness. Check treated plants and control new growth.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 14442 Expires 30/06/2023
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 500 mL in 100 L of water plus 0.5% Uptake spray oil
Comments: Apply to actively growing plants. See permit for critical use comments.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 14442 Expires 30/06/2023
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 50 mL per 10 L of water plus 50 mL Uptake spray oil.
Comments: Knapsack application. A spray volume of 3L to 4L per 10m2 should be used. See permit for critical use comments.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 14442 Expires 30/06/2023
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 500 mL per 100 L of water plus 0.5% Uptake spray oil
Comments: Spray on actively growing plants. See permit for critical use comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 14442 Expires 30/06/2023
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 50 mL per 10 L of water plus 50 mL Uptake spray oil.
Comments: Knapsack application. A spray volume of 3L to 4L per 10m2 should be used. See permit for critical use comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Triclopyr 240 g/L + Picloram 120 g/L
(Access™ )
Rate: 1 L per 60 L of diesel
Comments: Apply as an overall spray, wetting all areas of the plant to ground level.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
Area | Duty |
---|---|
All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
All of NSW |
Prohibition on certain dealings
Must not be imported into the state, sold, bartered, exchanged or offered for sale. |
Central Tablelands |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
Central West |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
Hunter |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
Murray |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Containment)
Whole of region: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
North West |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
Western |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land A person should not buy, sell, move, carry, or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
Reviewed 2023