Invasive Species Forum & Field Walk
Invasive or Noninvasive: That is the Question!
Are there unwanted and unidentifiable plants creeping into your backyard, gardens, or landscape? They could be considered an invasive species! Find out more from the Conservation Commission’s Brad Robinson, former environmentalist at DEEP, on Thursday, June 2nd at 7 pm. At this Invasive Species Forum, we will discuss the various invasive plant species affecting our native environments and becoming an increasing environmental issue. Click below to attend.
Image credit: Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Oriental bittersweet
(Celastrus orbiculatus)
A Connecticut invasive
Like most of New England, Connecticut has a number of invasive species that are displacing native plants. One such plant is Oriental bittersweet, or Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). This woody vine quickly out-competes native species for nutrients, water and optimal sunlight exposure. This vine grows around existing structures including shrubs and trees. This significant weight addition deforms and cripples the host plant, impacting overall health and production levels and increasing susceptibility to limb breakage, uprooting, and trunk failure.
The fruit-encased seeds are spread predominantly through consumption by birds, deer and small mammals. Spread may also occur through sprouts stemming from existing root structures. This presents an opportunity for re-sprouting if roots aren’t entirely removed!
Control and removal may become difficult where there is a high level of growth and matting of vines. There are several methods to removing, or reducing the growth, which include the use of herbicides and manual/mechanical removal.
Be careful when removing plants that contain berries – you may facilitate further spread if the berries aren’t contained properly!
Join the Town of Windsor Conservation Commission’s Forum on Invasive Plants on June 2nd at 7pm to learn more!
Additional Online Resources:
Oriental Bittersweet Fact sheet – Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group
Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas – Plant Conservation Alliance
Weed of the Week – USDA Forest Service
Invasive Plants In Your Backyard! (Page 16) – Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Inc.