Invasive Plants or Trees

Like many invasive plants in North American woodlands, Oriental bittersweet is a strong competitor for light and nutrients in a variety of disturbed landscapes. It can be found along roadsides, in fallow fields, and in woodlands that have been recently harvested.

Japanese barberry tolerates shade, resists drought, and deer don’t eat it. While this sounds like a perfect combination for ornamental planting, because deer do not browse it, it can outcompete native shrubs. It spreads rapidly through woodlands, open fields, and wetlands.

Eurasian bush honeysuckles are non-native species that can out-compete many native plant species. They are found throughout Maryland and the mid-Atlantic states, where these multi-stemmed plants spread rapidly in disturbed areas, forming dense thickets that can reach ten to fifteen feet in height.

English ivy can be found in many areas throughout Maryland and the nation. You can see it in both woodlands and urban areas alike. This climbing vine is a highly aggressive invader that threatens all levels of forested and open area.

Golden bamboo, also known as fishpole bamboo or running bamboo, is an invasive plant that was introduced to North America over a century ago and is still offered for sale as a fast-growing ornamental plant.

The Norway Maple is so conspicuous throughout the United States that it is often easy to forget that it is an introduced species that can adversely affect the environment.

Wavyleaf basketgrass was first identified in the United States in Baltimore County, MD in 1996. It is less well-known than other invasives, but it is spreading rapidly in Maryland and Virginia.

Japanese stiltgrass has successful invasive has colonized a variety of habitats throughout the eastern half of the United States, including every county in Maryland, and reaching as far west as Texas.

In this issue, read about the controversy surrounding glyphosate, as well as some good news for the Maryland forestry industry. Our regular features include the "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight" and "Invasives in Your Woodland."