Stinging Nettle & Weed Control on Trails

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Stinging Nettle is one of the prevalent weeds being battled at this time by our trail crews. Weed control on the trails is occurring now through summer on the trails throughout Nellie Gail Ranch. Horses and dogs don’t usually eat stinging nettle, however, if they brush up against it while walking or lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant’s leaves and stems cause a skin reaction and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more. The standard practice for our trail crews is to grade the trails and spray herbicide on the nettle and other weeds along the two sides of the trail to limit regrowth.

This year we have stopped using Roundup and are using a non-toxic herbicide so we will be evaluating effectiveness this year. If you see specific areas of concern you may text a photo and location to 949-933-8546.

Equines and pets using trails should not be permitted to eat the stinging nettle or grasses or weeds in close proximity to them. Enjoy your time on the trails.

Trails Open

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Trails are open but use care as we continue to correct minor grading issues caused by the rain and subsequent use following rains. Despite the cold temperatures, the days have been beautiful, and it is a great time to get some exercise and keep those New Year’s resolutions. Please help us protect your trails by keeping in mind all vehicles require a trail permit prior to accessing trails. This is particularly important for service vehicles in the winter season as we oftentimes know of certain trails that are excessively wet that may be damaged by heavy vehicles.  Permits are available from the Association office.

Pet Courtesy and Trail Safety

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Pet owners, please check to ensure your property perimeter is secure and your dog(s) are not able to access the trails from your property.  We have received several reports of pets escaping their homes and approaching equestrians and trail runners on the trails.  Horses are flight animals and barking or fast approaching dogs (no matter how “friendly”) can potentially lead to a serious injury to the horse, rider or dog.

People are also sometimes unsure of a dogs intention and can become fearful when approached on a trail or in a community park by an off-leash dog.  Particularly when the pet owner is not present.  Please secure your property from “escape”.  And when walking your dog(s), please keep them under control and restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet.  It is both the law and common courtesy!

Trail Fence Maintenance

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While you are inspecting your property for drainage concerns, please also evaluate your fencing. Many, many homeowner fences that abut the trail easements are in varying states of disrepair. Wood rails are missing, detached, broken or falling. Posts are leaning, wrought iron is rusting, chain link is sagging or torn or both. Homeowners have responsibility for ongoing maintenance of walls, fencing and other improvements on their property. Depending upon your type of fencing and fencing goal, there are a few options available to consider:

  1. Remove the fencing. Perimeter fencing is not mandated by the Association. If your fencing is broken and entire sections are missing, it is not providing any sort of barrier to humans or animals and removing it would be an aesthetic improvement.
  2. Repair the existing walls or fencing to re-establish a barrier for privacy, security or aesthetic purposes.
  3. Replace an existing fence with an alternative wood, vinyl, wrought iron fence or block wall. For this option, an application to the Architectural Review Committee is required, and a property survey must be submitted showing the property line, easement and proposed location of the new fence or wall. You may contact the Association office at 949-425-1477 or admin@nelliegailranch.org to request an ARC application. Please note the following incentive: For homeowners who are considering replacement of chain link fencing, we are offering to waive the ARC application fee as an incentive as long as the only item being applied for is the replacement of the chain link fence with an alternative fencing material.  You still need to submit the ARC application and required survey, however, the application fee will be waived.

Please take time this next weekend to walk the perimeter of your property and evaluate the condition of your perimeter walls and fences