SCOTCH BROOM (Cytisus scoparius) quickly invades open lands, getting ahead of native plants and altering soil chemistry. The yellow blossoms turn into pods that can spit seeds up to several feet to colonize new
ground. Seeds can persist in the soil for decades, so its a tough plant to control and takes great persistence. It’s also a more fire-prone plant than many natives and can be a powerful allergen–Ah-achoo!
Tackling scotch broom
Strategies for scotch broom include using the right tools and timing for the size of plants. Ideally, you should tackle scotch broom in late Winter/early Spring before it begins to set seed. It is best to remove the entire plant if possible, including roots. Small seedling scotch broom can be manually pulled; larger scotch broom may require cutting the stem and then digging out the roots; or use a weed wrench, which can be extremely handy for larger plants.
For more information about the ecology, impacts, and control of scotch broom, check out the King County Page for Scotch Broom.