Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 10 hrs ago
Sète forest cleared of invasive prickly pear, but regrowth remains
Forestry workers have spent three years removing prickly pear cactus from the Pierres Blanches forest in Sète.
The cactus, originally from Mexico, was introduced as an ornamental plant and spread quickly when fallen pads took root and seeds grew.
It had spread across about nine hectares, crowding out local plants and blocking paths.
The removal work cleared paths and opened space for native vegetation to return.
New cactus plants have already appeared in areas treated earlier in the project.
The forestry office plans to return to limit further spread, while the forest is now open to walkers.
The French National Forestry Office (ONF) has removed prickly pear cactus from about nine hectares of the Pierres Blanches forest in Sète.
The three-year effort aimed to help native vegetation recover and clear paths.
The cactus had spread through the forest, crowding out local plants.
New shoots and regrowth remain, and the ONF plans to intervene again.
The site is open to the public.
- Who
- The French National Forestry Office carried out the removal work, with the City of Sète also named as a partner.
- What
- Prickly pear cactus was removed from the Pierres Blanches forest. Regrowth remains.
- When
- The work began in 2023 and continued over three years. A review took place on 23 October 2026.
- Where
- The Pierres Blanches state forest in Sète, France.
- Why
- The invasive cactus was crowding out local vegetation and spreading through natural areas.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The ONF began removing prickly pear cactus from the forest.
One phase of the removal work took place.
A further phase of work took place.
Officials reviewed the completed work, while reports noted that cactus regrowth remained.
- Location
- Pierres Blanches forest, Sète, France
- Area treated
- About 9 hectares
- Work began
- 2023
- Removal method
- Mechanical removal of adult plants, manual extraction of young shoots and soil raking
- Remaining issue
- Regrowth and new shoots
- Public access
- The site is open to walkers
3 sources
Jeu de raquette mortel dans la forêt des Pierres Blanches à Sète : des tonnes de figuiers de Barbarie arrachées pour permettre à la nature de reprendre ses droits
Le site des Pierres Blanches débarrassé des figuiers de barbarie
SÈTE - La forêt domaniale des Pierres Blanches fait peau neuve et rouvre ses portes au public !
What people are saying
We removed tonnes of them
The slightest cactus pad that falls to the ground immediately takes root