Battling Invasive Plant Species

Invasive plant species can be, mildly put, a pain in the neck.

In a globalized era when the movement of species is inevitable, non-native plants are here to stay. Not all of them are bad; particularly as the climate changes and many species begin to redistribute themselves, scientists continue to debate how to classify native, non-native, and invasive plant species.

Using a spot-spray treatment on multiflora rose at Oak Spring.

However, the plant species that cause so many problems in Northern Virginia - including tree of heaven, Japanese honeysuckle, and multiflora rose - are classified as invasive because they out-compete native plants for space and nutrients, threatening to upend native ecosystems. Fighting these pervasive plants can feel like an uphill battle. But one of the most important things to remember when waging war against these pesky invaders? Try to work together, said Clif Brown, Oak Spring’s head of Arboriculture, Conservation, and Landscapes.

“It’s an ongoing battle, and in that battle, it’s very important to build relationships with your neighbors,” said Clif. “It will help you tremendously, because any invasive species on their land are yours as well.”

In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we asked Clif and assistant arboriculturist Curtis Worth to discuss invasive species control at Oak Spring. The ACL team uses a variety of management methods to keep invasive species at bay and encourage the growth of natives, including spot-spraying with herbicides, total removal, and controlled burns.

Choosing the right method can depend on a variety of factors, including the location of the invasive plants on the property, the proximity to water, and the severity of the infestation. The ACL team frequently consults with other environmental organizations, including the Blandy Experimental Farm at the Virginia State Arboretum, Virginia Working Landscapes, and Blue Ridge PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management), to ensure that they are using the safest and most effective practices.

Click on the video below to walk around 20 acres of forest on the Rokeby side of the property, and learn about some of the methods our ACL team uses to combat invasives and help give native flora a fighting chance.

Interested in learning more about invasive species in Virginia, their impact, and how to get rid of them? Come out to the Oak Spring Garden Foundation this May for a one-day workshop with Blue Ridge PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management). Led by Jim Hurley, a Master Naturalist, Tree Steward, a member of the Virginia Noxious Weed Advisory Committee, and Board Member of the Virginia Native Plant Society, the course will provide participants the skills and context such that they can recognize most common invasive plants, and develop a management plan.

Banner image: the ACL team removing trees of heaven (alianthus) at Oak Spring. Photo by Sarah Causey.