Pensacola News Journal

For:  Saturday, June 8, 2000

By:   Daniel E. Mullins

        Extension Horticulture Agent

        Santa Rosa County

 

Watch Out for Invasive Plants in Your Landscape

 

A creeping threat looms over our beautiful Gulf Coast environment.  Several exotic terrestrial and aquatic plant species are slowly but surely increasing in numbers and moving into residential and commercial landscapes, as well as natural areas.  Though not as newsworthy as other current events and concerns, some of these species have the potential to replace our native plant communities.

A change in plant communities from native to exotic would have far reaching and unimaginable consequences.  When an aggressive non-native plant species is introduced into new areas, it usually does not have natural growth checks such as insects, diseases and animals.  A balanced ecosystem made up of native plants, on the other hand, is made up of a diversity of plants, along with natural organisms that maintain checks and balance between the species. 

In short, invasive exotic plants foul up the complex system that has developed over thousands of years.  They may form an exotic monoculture, crowding out natives.  Bird watchers and other animal lovers are aware that native fauna’s survival is tied very closely to native flora.  There is a complex relationship between the two.  Plants provide shelter and food, while wildlife spread seed, fertilize and in some cases, even prune.

The Melaleuca is an example of just how aggressive that some exotics can be.  It has literally taken over thousands of acres of wetlands in South Florida.  Our biggest current threat in North Florida appears to be Sapium sebiferum, commonly known as the Chinese Tallow Tree or Popcorn Tree.  Some experts are calling it the “North Florida Melaleuca.”  It grows and spreads rapidly, is difficult to kill and can take over large natural areas by out – competing the natives.  Chinese Tallow is spreading rampantly in Central Florida and South Alabama.

There are a disturbing number of Tallow Trees already growing in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Counties.  They are thriving in both upland and wetland locations.   To make matters worse, some homeowners have planted them as ornamental and shade trees.  They do have beautiful fall leaf color, but should not be planted because of their aggressive, invasive nature.  One mature tree can produce a hundred thousand seed with a potential germination percentage of over 90 percent. 

Homeowners who have Tallow Trees are advised to get rid of them.  If feasible, dig them up.  A herbicide containing Triclopyr as the active ingredient can be used for controlling large trees, or where numbers make physical removal impractical.  It is sold as Garlon and is also the active ingredient in several brush killer products sold at local garden centers.

Treatment using this product can be applied to the freshly cut stump, and in some cases as a basal bark trunk application.  Follow label directions carefully when using this or any other pesticide. 

The University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants offers a web site with information about 24 aquatic/wetland and 12 terrestrial invasive plants.  Go to http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu .  There you can also find images of each plant and suggested methods of control.

 

Question of the Week:  Is it too late to establish a lawn by sodding?

Answer:  No, sodding can be done at almost any time of year in our area, providing that sufficient water is applied during establishment.

Caption:  Chinese Tallow Tree flowering during spring.  Learn to identify and control this invasive plant.