Invasive Trees and Shrubs
Since about 2006 the state of Massachusetts has banned the sale of several trees and shrubs because they are out competing native species. The group that studies plants and makes these recommendations is called MIPAG Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Board.
The MIPAG board is very thoughtful in their approach and how they decide which plants are invasive. This obviously has an effect on our natural areas in the long run which drives their work. However, in the short term it effects nurseries that may have fields of these plant. Landscaper’s who rely on these plants for their projects. It also effects homeowner or commercial properties that ant these specific plants for aesthetic or other reasons.
What ARE INVASIVE TREES AND SHRUBS
An invasive species is an organism that is not indigenous, or native, to a particular area. Invasive species can cause great economic and environmental harm to the new area. As defined by National Geographic.
Some of these trees and shrubs that are no longer for sale in Massachusetts were very popular because they were so hardy or as people say “low maintenance” For example; Norway maple, Ailanthus, burning bush, barberry and honeysuckle just to name a few invasive plants no longer availablr. Yes, believe it or not Tree of Heaven (ailanthus) was once in the nursey trade.
Believe it or not Frederick Law Olmsted the farther of landscape architecture was a proponent of using ailanthus as an alternative shade tree. Please don’t be too hard on the designer of Central Park and Boston’s Emeral Necklace. Its not all his fault and no one knew how invasive this would be. Besides a tree that inspired this classic book can’t be all bad. However, this is probably the most wildly chastised tree I am aware of with more slang disparaging names than we have room for.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a 1943 semi-autobiographical novel written by Betty Smith
The Ailanthus ability to thrive in difficult urban areas is uncanny
THE PROBLEM WITH INVASIVE SPECIES
The unfortunate thing about invasive species by definition is that their population explodes crowding out native species. Norway maple is a classic example of a tree that was over planted because it was so easy to grow. It grows faster in The U.S. than it does in its native land because it is one of the first trees to wake up in the spring and usually the last shade tree to turn and drop its leaves in the fall.
It casts so much shade and its roots are so aggressive it does not allow other plants to grow near it. It’s a bully. This is Dan Mayer’s least favorite tree.
Several Norway maple saplings taking over a section of a woodland
ARE THERE BENEFITS TO INVASIVE SPECIES
Designers, landscapers, arborists and homeowners love these plants because they grow anywhere and take little care for them to thrive. Until we see how they have infiltrated our natural areas as well as urban wild to the point where they are giant weeds. The problem is with most invasive plants they are prolific fruit producers. Further the seeds produced in their fruit are incredibly fertile. In other words, they procreate so fast the native species cannot keep up.
Burning bush or winged eponymous a larges shrub believed for its fall color is a great example of fertile seed production. Even though this plant has been banned for sale in Massachusetts since 2006 you still see seedlings everywhere, perpetuated by plants established decades ago.
Winged Euonymus red fall color and prolific fruit
DRAWBACKS TO BANNING INVASIVE SPECIES
Although removing these plants reduces the risk to native plants it does limit the number of plants to choose from. Luckily it has created a renewed commitment to plan native plants. This has also encouraged nurseries and plan propagators to work with native plants to make them better. In nursery catalogs these plants are referred to as “improved natives”. We strongly encourage people to use native plants whenever possible but not every non-native plant is invasive .
For more information about Invasive plants in Massachusetts please follow the MIPAG link
For more information on planting native plants please visit the link here.
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