Which Invasive Trees to remove first - Ask Extension
I have a small rural wood edge (1/4 acres existing mature trees and another 1/4 of an acre I planted new tree seedlings in). In my inventory of it, ...
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Which Invasive Trees to remove first #867052
Asked May 04, 2024, 8:19 PM EDT
I have a small rural wood edge (1/4 acres existing mature trees and another 1/4 of an acre I planted new tree seedlings in). In my inventory of it, I have noted several invasive trees (Mulberry Sp. and Prunus avium) along with some invasive shrubs I am definitely removing in order to give the remaining oaks, hickories, black cherry, black walnut, dogwoods, tulip popular, sassafras, and hackberry room to grow, to improve the wildlife value of the stand, and because they are invasive. Would you recommend killing both of those tree species to avoid ecological harm?
Carroll County Maryland
Expert Response
White Mulberry (Morus alba) is a widespread invasive species in Maryland, so is so ubiquitous that removing a few, while still recommended, won't impact the overall population in the area very much. If they are young trees nearing fruiting age, then it would be prudent to remove them before they get old enough to seed around even more. Red Mulberry (Morus rubra) is native, but probably rare enough that a group of mulberries spreading on developed land is probably the invasive species.
Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) is widespread in Maryland as well, but anecdotally, does not appear to be as aggressive a spreader as White Mulberry. Since this is an edible fruit (if you like cherries), you could at least benefit from a harvest before being ready to take these out as well. We don't know how many of the insect species that use cherries (Prunus sp.) as a host plant can/do also use non-native cherries, so there may be a potential for them to still support some wildlife until removed.
Miri
Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium) is widespread in Maryland as well, but anecdotally, does not appear to be as aggressive a spreader as White Mulberry. Since this is an edible fruit (if you like cherries), you could at least benefit from a harvest before being ready to take these out as well. We don't know how many of the insect species that use cherries (Prunus sp.) as a host plant can/do also use non-native cherries, so there may be a potential for them to still support some wildlife until removed.
Miri
