What the Heck are Invasive Species? And Why Do You Remove Them?

People visiting — or even just driving by — Crow’s Nest often see Natural Lands Trust staff and volunteers battling the vines in the hedgerows and along the forest edge, brush-cutting weeds, chain sawing Norway maple saplings, or painting the stump of a recently cut weed with herbicide. Just what are we doing, and why?

Invasive plants are a small number of species that grow and reproduce rapidly, out-competing native trees and shrubs for light and nutrients. They threaten to change the composition of the forests, hedgerows, and meadows at Crow’s Nest into a much simpler landscape — one that can only support a limited subset of wildlife. But that’s not all. Invasive plants also alter soil chemistry, affect an area’s susceptibility to fire, and displace native plants. After habitat destruction, invasive species are the largest threat to endangered species.

The invasive plants are often ones that were introduced to this region either for horticulture or to prevent soil erosion, or were transported here by accident. While they are here to stay, we try to minimize their impact on the preserve by encouraging the growth of a diversity of native species.

Given that growing space (light, water, and nutrients) in any area is finite, we try to make more of this resource available to desirable species and less to undesirable ones. We cut, mow, pull out, and spray the stumps of the invasive species, freeing the less aggressive native species to grow and set seed, assuring their continued presence on the preserve. We also replant with a diversity of native species, so that they take up the space that would otherwise yield to invasive species.

If you have specific questions about either an invasive species or techniques to provide best control, please contact Daniel Barringer, Crow’s Nest’s Preserve Manager. And be sure to let Dan know if you would like to join the effort to help control invasive plants at the preserve. We hold a few volunteer work days each spring and fall…and would welcome your assistance!