What are invasives?

What are “invasive exotic plants?”

Once established, invasive plants spread to new areas by seeds, cuttings or spreading root systems. Some seeds are attractive to birds, which eat them, fly away and deposit them in new areas. Other seeds are designed to be spread by the wind and consequently may also be blown around by the breezes caused by passing vehicles, too. Still others are transported in the fur of animals or on the shoes of hikers. Rainfall and floods can transport seeds and bits of plant material downhill and downstream, where they can become established in new areas.

In the city, plant cuttings disposed of in yard waste and later dumped in woodlands can take root, too. And invasive plants often escape from private property by growing through property lines. Invasive plants pay no heed to fences.

Invasives tend to establish themselves along the edges of woodlands, but they also take advantage of areas within woodlands that are opened up when trees die. One species may kill a tree, but many others will take advantage of the newly sunny area and prevent native plants from growing. These areas may continue to expand until they join with other areas and a woodland is converted to a weed land.

DC Woodlands

Invasive exotic plant control in Washington, DC

www.dcwoodlands.org