Space Invaders was an early computer game in which players would take out alien ships descending from the top of the screen. At first they would start out slow and easy. Over time, more would descend with a faster speed. If you lost your pacing, they would overwhelm and then, game over.
Invasive species are like that. You may be unaware of what they are or not notice as they first appear. But, it’s no game when these space invaders take over. Invasive plants quickly spread through backyards and property, outcompeting desirable plants and displacing native animals. If not caught and removed early, they become costly and hard to control.
Bush honeysuckle can turn a backyard into a jungle and spread through forests like hot lava, choking out native trees. Callery pear trees are ornamentals that have cross-pollinated into several varieties with thorny, weak wood that splits and topples. They are known and sold by names like Bradford, Cleveland Select, Aristocrat and others.
You can stop the invasion and join the fight by not buying them, removing them and replacing with natives. Pull, cut and spray to remove bush honeysuckle and callery pear varieties. Replace with serviceberry, dogwood, plum, redbud, and other native species.
Controlling the Bush Honeysuckle
- Bush honeysuckles will invade a wide variety of natural communities with or without previous disturbances.
- Affected natural communities can include: lake and stream banks, marsh, fens, sedge meadow, wet and dry prairies, savannas, floodplain and upland forests and wood-lands.
- Control measures may enlist one or more of the following techniques: prescribed burning, hand pulling of seedlings, cutting and herbicide treatments.
Discover more on controlling the bush honeysuckle.
Discover more on controlling callery pear trees.
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