Identifying & Controlling Invasives: Strategies for Communities

Identifying Invasive Plants What are Invasive Plants? Native plants Species that reached their location without assistance from humans. Non-native plants include: Exotic species: non-native plants or animals introduced into a new location by human activity, either intentionally or by accident. Invasive species: non-native species that are capable of moving aggressively into a habitat and monopolizing resources such as light, nutrients, water, and space to the detriment of other species.

Identifying Invasive Plants How did Invasive Plants Get Here? Horticultural activities Conservation activities Accidental introductions

Identifying Invasive Plants Why are they such a problem? They grow very quickly. They are often the first plants to leaf out in spring and the last plants to lose their leaves and seeds in fall. They create a dense canopy which suppresses the growth of native woody & herbaceous plants. They reduce soil moisture & nutrients. They are in areas that lack their natural insects and diseases to control them.

Impacts of invasive plants Degrade native environments Reduce native plant diversity Reduce habitat for native wildlife Impact forest regeneration Threaten rare species

Identifying Invasive Plants Workshop Goals: Identify common problematic invasive plants Discuss appropriate methods of control Prioritize invasive plant control efforts Provide tools and resources to help you implement successful projects

Identifying Invasive Plants Key considerations in controlling invasives: Know your enemy! Know what species you are dealing with Reproductive strategies seeds, root or stem cuttings, rhizomes (runners) Dispersal methods wind, animal, stem cuttings

Identifying Invasive Plants

Identifying Invasive Plants Partial List of NH Regulated Non-Native Invasive Plants Norway Maple Tree of heaven Garlic mustard Japanese & European barberry Oriental bittersweet Spotted knapweed Black & pale swallow-wort Autumn olive Burning bush Giant hogweed Dame s Rocket Water-flag iris Perennial pepperweed Blunt-leaved privet 4 Honeysuckles Japanese stilt grass Japanese & Bohemian knotweed Mile-a-minute vine Common & glossy buckthorn Multiflora rose

Identifying Invasive Plants CONTROL Biological Mechanical Chemical

Identifying Controlling Invasive Plants Biological Control Natural pest controls

Controlling Invasive Plants Mechanical Control Hand pulling Photo by: Kyle Farr, A Stewardship Network: New England volunteer and a Senior in Environmental Conservation Studies at UNH Kingston Town Forest

Controlling Invasive Plants Mechanical Control - Digging

Controlling Invasive Plants Mechanical Control Weed Wrench

Identifying Controlling Invasive Plants Mechanical Control Repeated mowing, cutting, weed whacking Persistence is key! Invasive plants may need to be cut up to five times a growing season. Established plants may need several years of this type of control

Controlling Invasive Plants Mechanical Control Smothering

Controlling Invasive Plants Mechanical Control - Girdling plants

Controlling Invasive Plants Mechanical Control - Controlled Burning

Controlling Invasive Plants Chemical Control Foliar Application Spray leaves with approved herbicide.

Chemical Control Controlling Invasive Plants Chemical Control Cut stump treatment ump or Bark application Paint cut stump or bark with approved herbicide.

Controlling Invasive Plants Chemical Control Homeowner products include active ingredients: Glyphosate Triclopyr Pesticides are classified as either general use or restricted use. General use does not require certification when applied to a property owned or rented by applicator or employer

Controlling Invasive Plants Glyphosate ex. Roundup Works by they inhibiting a specific enzyme that plants need in order to grow. Without that enzyme, plants are unable to produce other proteins essential to growth, so they yellow and die over the course of several days or weeks. l Control Triclopyr ex. Ortho, Garlon Triclopyr is a plant growth regulator herbicide that mimics growth hormones. Once applied it moves throughout leaves and roots, causing rapid cell growth and rupturing cell walls. This hinders the plant s ability to move food and use energy from the leaves, causing the plant to die Follow label instructions. Apply correct formulation and concentration of herbicide at appropriate time of year.

Controlling Invasive Plants Now let s look at some of our more prolific non native invasive plants identifying characteristics and considerations for control