Managing Invasive Plants in Your Woodlot
At the Thursday, June 11th
Cumberland Woodland Owners Association Meeting, PA DCNR specialists, Kelly
Sitch, Bureau of Forestry Botanist, and John Schwartzer, Bureau of Forestry
Service Forester will speak about the impact of invasive plants and control
methods. Invasive plants are impacting
the regeneration and management of private and public forests. They are slowly
changing the character of our natural ecosystems by displacing native plants,
impacting native wildlife habitat, increasing soil erosion, and limiting
forestry management options. Private landowners need more information about how
to identify invasive plant species problems and how to apply effective
management practices. The meeting will
be at 7:00 PM, at the Cumberland County Extension Office which is located at
310 Allen Road in Carlisle. You do not
have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.
Invasive insects, plants, and
microbes have had and continue to have a significant harmful impact on U.S.
forests. Invasive plants easily colonize
the disturbed areas and enter adjacent woodlands. Invasive plants also can interfere with the
growth of new trees. Competition from
invasive plants reduces native plant diversity, and can harm animals that
depend on native plants for food and shelter.
Invasive plants threaten the habitat of two-thirds of all threatened and
endangered wildlife species. It is
estimated by the U.S. Forest Service that economic damages caused by
nonindigenous species and costs for control and management of these species
exceed $137 billion per year. One of the
best ways to control these plants is for woodland owners to familiarize
themselves with the plants and work with local officials and agencies to start
eradication programs.
The Cumberland Woodland Owners
Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in
forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.
For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners
Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email:
fredp5@earthlink.net).
