MOWING AND MAINTENANCE
MANAGING INVASIVE TREES AND VEGETATION IN THE US W hen introduced beyond their natural geography, many species of trees and vegetation can infest and degrade land while harming native ecosystems. They have the potential to overtake fields, forests or even the resources native grasses and vegetation need to live, which results in killing off valuable land. Stringent control and eradication measures are often necessary for landscape professionals to minimize the spread of invasive trees and prevent damage to the environment. Fortunately, there are a variety of options for removing these tenacious intruders from your property.
Invasive Species by Region
Before we dive into the “how” of invasive tree and vegetation management, it’s important to understand the “what”— or rather, the types of vegetation green industry professionals are likely to encounter.
The following is an overview of the types of invasive species landscape professionals can expect to find in the various regions of the United States.
Northeast
Invasive sumac trees can be found across much of the country, but they pose the biggest threat in two areas, namely the Northeast and into midwestern states such as Ohio and Michigan. Sumac trees grow quickly, aggressively and in dense thickets. If they are left unchecked, they can outgrow and displace native vegetation by cutting off access to nutrients and force out wildlife by consuming their natural habitat and/or the vegetation they depend on for survival. Because of their dense foliage, sumac trees also block rain and sunlight, which brings unwanted changes to an ecosystem’s soil chemistry and temperature.
overtake natural habitats and greatly reduce the profitability and usability of land if they are left unattended. Separately, Kudzu trees cover an area that stretches from Texas to New York. While they are ideal for shading porches, feeding livestock and helping to control erosion, Kudzu trees grow quickly and produce vines that cover and kill native plants, envelop trees, snap branches and climb buildings and power lines. In addition, they can withstand drought, frost and fire damage and remain dormant for several years before germinating. Therefore, it is especially crucial to conduct annual maintenance and be sure to kill every root crown, the process of which can take up to several years to accomplish.
Midwest The boxelder is a species of maple with brittle wood and a fast growth system that thrives in wet bottomlands common in the Midwest. While these trees help stabilize stream banks and shelter wildlife, they are considered a weed in many urban areas. Their weak wood causes them to split or drop their limbs in relatively light wind conditions, making them a landscape maintenance nightmare. The boxelder’s rapid spread can be attributed to how quickly it germinates after dropping its seeds: winged papery fruits that spin through the air and travel great distances away from the parent tree.
Southeast Invasive tree species across the southeastern region of the country include the Brazilian pepper tree, Chinese tallow, privet and saw palmetto. For reasons that include toxicity, deposition and invasive root systems, these trees can rapidly Using a brush cutter helps landscapers access the tree trunk and roots.
Central U.S. Diamond Mowers
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Native to Kansas and originally limited to rocky bluffs, the Eastern Red-Cedar began terrorizing the central portion of the U.S. from South Dakota down to Oklahoma and parts of Texas when new land management practices
