INVASIVE SPECIES
INVASIVE PLANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS AND HOW TO CONTROL THEM
Invasive plants are those plants from another region of the world that don’t naturally occur in the new environment. They can be introduced to an area by accidental release, and most often, by people as landscape specimens. Because they did not evolve in our region, the natural mechanisms that normally control these species in their home ranges don't exist. As a result, these non-native plants can out-compete, displace, and kill our native species thereby reducing biodiversity and permanently altering habitats.
More than 2,200 plants have been documented in Massachusetts, and 725 of them are non-natives that are considered naturalized (established). About 10% of those have been scientifically categorized by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group (MIPAG) as "Invasive", "Likely Invasive", or "Potentially Invasive." https://www.massnrc.org/mipag/invasive.htm . These invasive species have been banned for importation, propagation, and sale in Massachusetts by the MA Department of Agricultural Resources.
COMMON INVASIVE PLANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
These are 31 of the most common invasive plant species you're likely to find in and around your home.
For more pictures and a complete guide to identifying and controlling invasive plants, check Mass Audubon's Invasive Plant Guide (12.7 MB) If you see any of these on your property or in your town, please let your local conservation commission know or report sightings to EDDMapS or to iNaturalist. Both of these on-line resources have phone apps as well, and both are checked by state employees concerned with invasive species. It is important to include numbers observed and area impacted in your report. It is important to educate others and report anyone illegally selling, growing, or distributing invasive plants. Do not purchase any of these plants in another state or online to plant here in Massachusetts.
What to plant after removing invasive species:
The Wild Seed Project has a few recommendations on how to fill your landscape after removing invasive species. https://wildseedproject.net/2024/02/after-removing-disruptive-invasives-try-planting-these/
HERBICIDE USE FOR THE CONTROL OF INVASIVE PLANTS
Homeowners can play an important role in the fight against invasive species by removing them from their private properties. There are many methods that can be used to control these noxious plants, including cutting, pulling, smothering and using biological controls. Controversial is the use of herbicides as one of the methods. The *Native Plant Trust does not recommend their use since herbicides can cause environmental damage. Many other governmental and plant organizations do recommend their limited use (see references 1-4 below).
The “appropriate use of herbicide products that are readily available in small quantities at garden supply stores can facilitate removal and prevent regrowth. Professional land managers should encourage the removal of invasives by homeowners and assist by providing information on methods and herbicide availability.”
Generally, the less concentrated herbicide versions suggested for homeowner use are: glyphosate (i.e., RoundUp) and tryclopyr (i.e., Brush-B-Gon). Care should be taken to use these responsibly and in a targeted fashion and not broadcast widely in the environment. All cautions on the product label should be followed closely.
REFERENCES
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massaudubon.org/nature-wildlife/invasive-plants-in-massachusetts/herbicides
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https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource000988_Rep1135.pdf
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https://newfs-society.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/Managing_Common_Invasives_40519.pdf
PLANTS PROHIBITED FROM SALE IN MASSACHUSETTS
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-prohibited-plant-list
These plants are prohibited from sale in MA and should not be bought or planted here, including all cultivars, varieties and hybrids of the species listed.
INVASIVE INSECTS
Asian Jumping Worms Jumping worms consume organic matter in the topsoil which makes it difficult for plants to grow and other soil animals to survive. In forests this change can greatly reduce the number of plants in the understory and in gardens or other maintained landscapes it can make it difficult to keep plants alive.
Spotted Lantern Fly The spotted lantern fly attacks over 70 different plants, including economically important crops (grapes, apples, hops), forest and shade trees (maple, willow, birch), and the invasive tree of heaven. Follow these links by Massachusetts sources.
