The invasive pest spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) likely arrived in the United States as an egg mass hitchhiking on building stone imported from Asia to Southeastern Pennsylvania. The pest was discovered in 2014 when a forester observed adult lanternflies massing on the trunks of tree-of-heaven close to building stone company’s lot. Tree-of-heaven is itself an invasive import […]
Invasive Plant Cultivars: Guilty Until Proven Innocent?
Understanding Invasive Plant Cultivars When a plant species is found to be invasive, it is not always clear if the risk extends to all cultivars, particularly those promoted as low-fruiting or sterile. Unfortunately, some such cultivars have appeared to be sterile in their early years, but eventually started producing viable seed. To guard against such situations, New […]
Fall Identification of Woody Invasives
Identifying Woody Invasives in the Fall If you’re having a tough time identifying or separating woody invasive species from natives, late fall may be the best time to take action. When most native trees and shrubs have lost their colorful leaves, invasive species like buckthorn and honeysuckle tend to remain green longer, continuing photosynthesis and storing additional sugars for […]