Reclaim your landscape from invasive species that threaten your trees and ecosystem. Our team identifies and removes harmful plants like Japanese honeysuckle and Norway maple, using eco-conscious methods to restore balance and promote native growth.
Ready to protect your landscape’s health? Explore our detailed invasive species guide below or contact us for a tailored solution!
Asian Bush Honeysuckles
Lonicera maackii, L. morrowii, L. tatarica
Honeysuckle Family
Deciduous Shrubs
Flowers: May–Jun
Fruits: Jun–Jul, Oct–Nov (L. maackii)
Native Range: China, Manchuria, Korea
Introduction: Tartarian in 1700s, Amur and Morrow’s in late 1890s.
Mid-Atlantic Range: Open woodlands, old fields, forest edges.
Ecological Impacts: These shrubs reduce light availability, inhibit germination, and lower bird nesting success.
Quick ID: Entire leaf margins, red/yellowish berries, hollow pith.
Burning Bush, Wintercreeper
Euonymus alatus, Euonymus fortunei
Bittersweet Family
Deciduous Shrub / Woody Vine
Flowers: Apr–Jun
Fruits: Sep–winter
Native Range: China, Korea, Japan
Introduction: 1860s (E. alatus), 1907 (E. fortunei)
Mid-Atlantic Range: Trees, streambanks, floodplains.
Ecological Impacts: Forms dense thickets, restricts native plants, and can kill supporting trees.
Quick ID: Burning Bush: winged stems, purplish capsule. Wintercreeper: evergreen vine, whitish capsule.
Giant Hogweed
Heracleum mantegazzianum
Carrot Family
Perennial Herb
Flowers: Jun–Jul
Native Range: Caucasus Mountains
Introduction: Early 1900s
Mid-Atlantic Range: Moist soils, roadsides, streambanks.
Ecological Impacts: Outcompetes vegetation, sap causes burns, seeds float long distances.
Quick ID: Coarsely-handed leaves, purple-spotted hairy stem, large flat-topped flower heads.
Golden Bamboo
Phyllostachys aurea
Grass Family
Perennial Grass
Flowers: Rarely
Native Range: Asia
Introduction: Late 1800s
Mid-Atlantic Range: Open woods, roadsides.
Ecological Impacts: Dense rhizomes prohibit other plant growth.
Quick ID: Deciduous leaf sheaths, two branches per node, up to 10m tall.
Invasive Phragmites
Phragmites australis ssp. australis
Grass Family
Perennial Grass
Flowers: Jun–Sep
Native Range: Europe
Introduction: Late 1700s
Mid-Atlantic Range: Wetlands, marshes.
Ecological Impacts: Forms monotypic stands, excluding wetland vegetation, impacting wildlife.
Quick ID: Green stems, persistent leaf sheaths, short ligule.
Japanese Angelica Tree
Aralia elata
Ginseng Family
Deciduous Tree
Flowers: Jul–Aug
Fruits: Aug–Sep
Native Range: Russia, China, Korea, Japan
Introduction: Ornamental
Mid-Atlantic Range: Urban wood edges.
Ecological Impacts: Displaces native Aralia spinosa, potential hybridization.
Quick ID: Leaf veins to teeth tips, short inflorescence.
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
Honeysuckle Family
Woody Vine
Flowers: May–Jul
Fruits: Sep–Oct
Native Range: Japan, Korea, China
Introduction: 1806
Mid-Atlantic Range: Wood edges, fields.
Ecological Impacts: Dense mats inhibit forest regeneration, reduce biodiversity.
Quick ID: Pale green leaves, black fruit, axillary flowers.
Japanese Stilt-Grass
Microstegium vimineum
Grass Family
Annual Grass
Flowers: Sep–Nov
Native Range: Tropical Asia
Introduction: 1919
Mid-Atlantic Range: Moist forests, riparian areas.
Ecological Impacts: Dense stands exclude vegetation, harm ground-nesting birds.
Quick ID: Shiny midrib, awned fruit, hairless stem nodes.
Japanese Virgin’s Bower
Clematis terniflora
Buttercup Family
Herbaceous Vine
Flowers: Aug–Sep
Fruits: Oct
Native Range: China, Japan
Introduction: 1864
Mid-Atlantic Range: Moist woods, thickets.
Ecological Impacts: Climbs and kills supporting trees, prolific seed production.
Quick ID: Five leaflets, entire margins, wide fruit.
Johnson Grass
Sorghum halepense
Grass Family
Annual Grass
Flowers: Aug–Sep
Native Range: Mediterranean Europe, North Africa
Introduction: 1830s
Mid-Atlantic Range: Disturbed habitats.
Ecological Impacts: Competes for nutrients, shades vegetation, inhibits germination.
Quick ID: Wide leaves, silky-haired fruits.
Lesser Celandine
Ranunculus ficaria
Buttercup Family
Perennial Herb
Flowers: Mar–May
Native Range: Northern Europe
Introduction: Ornamental
Mid-Atlantic Range: Floodplains, forests.
Ecological Impacts: Dense stands inhibit spring ephemerals, threaten wildflowers.
Quick ID: Tuberous roots, bulblets, yellow-white petals.
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
Rose Family
Deciduous Shrub
Flowers: May–Jun
Fruits: Aug–winter
Native Range: Japan, Korea
Introduction: 1866
Mid-Atlantic Range: Woodlands, fields.
Ecological Impacts: Forms thickets, displaces natives, affected by viral disease.
Quick ID: Fringed stipules, white flowers, terminal clusters.
Norway Maple
Acer platanoides
Maple Family
Deciduous Tree
Flowers: Apr–May
Fruits: Jun–Oct
Native Range: Eurasia
Introduction: 1756
Mid-Atlantic Range: Urban forests, streets.
Ecological Impacts: Outcompetes native maples, reduces understory light.
Quick ID: Milky sap, wide samara wings, 5-7 leaf veins.
Oriental Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Bittersweet Family
Woody Vine
Flowers: May–Jun
Fruits: Sep–Nov
Native Range: China, Korea, Japan
Introduction: 1860
Mid-Atlantic Range: Forests, fields.
Ecological Impacts: Hybridizes with American Bittersweet, spread by birds.
Quick ID: Broad leaves, yellow capsule, axillary fruits.
Porcelain-Berry
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata
Grape Family
Woody Vine
Flowers: May–Aug
Fruits: Sep–Oct
Native Range: Russia, China, Korea, Japan
Introduction: 1870s
Mid-Atlantic Range: Moist woods, floodplains.
Ecological Impacts: Dense mats reduce light, spread by birds and water.
Quick ID: Vein hairs, white-to-purple fruit, white pith.
Reed Canarygrass
Phalaris arundinacea
Grass Family
Perennial Grass
Flowers: May–Jul
Native Range: North America, Eurasia
Introduction: 1830s
Mid-Atlantic Range: Swamps, marshes.
Ecological Impacts: Dense stands suppress vegetation, reduce diversity.
Quick ID: Wide leaf blades, membranous ligules, hairless fruits.
Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus altissima
Quassia Family
Deciduous Tree
Flowers: Jun–Aug
Fruits: Jul–winter
Native Range: China
Introduction: 1748
Mid-Atlantic Range: Disturbed forests, urban areas.
Ecological Impacts: Inhibits plant growth, alters nutrient cycling, prolific seeds.
Quick ID: Glanded leaflets, winged samaras, unpleasant odor.
White Mulberry
Morus alba
Mulberry Family
Deciduous Tree
Flowers: Apr–May
Fruits: Jun–Jul
Native Range: China
Introduction: 1700s
Mid-Atlantic Range: Disturbed forests, urban areas.
Ecological Impacts: Displaces natives, hybridizes with Red Mulberry, allergenic pollen.
Quick ID: Glossy leaves, white-to-purple fruit, smooth bark.
Wineberry
Rubus phoenicolasius
Rose Family
Deciduous Shrub
Flowers: May–Jun
Fruits: Jul–Aug
Native Range: Japan, Korea, China
Introduction: 1890
Mid-Atlantic Range: Forest edges, fields.
Ecological Impacts: Dense thickets, outcompetes natives, thorny barriers.
Quick ID: Reddish hairy canes, red fruit, white leaf undersides.