Alien trees that threaten southern ecosystems
The USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Task Force for the Assessment of Nonnative Invasive Species has compiled a list of invaders that they believe to be a very grave threat to forest and grassland ecosystems of the South. This "High Priority" list includes 121 non-native, invasive species -- and 10 of them are trees.
On the list:
- Tree of heaven, ailanthus -- Ailanthus altissima
- Silktree, mimosa -- Albizia julibrissin
- Russian olive -- Elaeagnus angustifolia
- Chinaberry tree -- Melia azedarach
- White mulberry -- Morus alba
- Paulownia, princess tree, royal empress -- Paulownia tomentosa
- Octopus tree, schefflera (in southern Florida) -- Schefflera actinophylla
- Brazilian peppertree (in Florida and southern Texas) -- Schinus terebinthifolius
- Saltcedar -- Tamarix ramosissima
- Tallowtree, Chinese tallowtree -- Triadica sebifera
Eight of these trees also appear on the Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States list at invasive.org.
According to the Executive Order on Invasive Species signed by President Clinton in 1999, an alien (non-native) species is invasive when its "introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health."
May 22 is The International Day for Biological Diversity, and the theme is "Invasive Alien Species". A booklet, Invasive Alien Species: A Threat to Biodiversity (pdf) can be downloaded. In observation of the day, I've written this post to help increase awareness of some invasive trees that are (or may become) a big problem in the southern United States.
"The power to recognize trees at a glance without examining their leaves or flowers or fruit as they are seen, for example, from the car-window during a railroad journey, can only be acquired by studying them as they grow under all possible conditions over wide areas of territory. Such an attainment may not have much practical value, but once acquired it gives to the possessor a good deal of pleasure which is denied to less fortunate travelers."
2 comments -- please add yours:
Tried sending an email and it bounced. I moved here to Metcalfe County Kentucky 5 years ago--have never seen a cottonwood tree and am wondering why. Had many of them in Illinois where I grew up. If you can answer my question please email me gdpifer@juno.com
my blog gdpifer1.blogspot.com
I don't know why you haven't seen any cottonwoods there. We certainly have them in Christian County along rivers and creeks and in low-lying areas.
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