Page 28 - Discover Spring 2023

Weeder’s Digest CONTINUED
W eeder ’ s Digest CONTINUED
A prime example was the introduction of the starling, inappropriately named, is the Tree of Heaven, which
which was brought to Central Park from Europe by a man was introduced in the late 1700's as a shade tree and
who meant well, of course. The problem is that they are for its purported medicinal properties. Its ability to self
an aggressive species with few local predators. Although seed and to spread by underground roots make it nearly
they control insect populations, they also have displaced impossible to eradicate. To make matters worse, it is also
and killed off many of our native birds, and they also do a host plant for the ever-popular stink bug and also for
great damage to grain crops. Who knew? They are now the new potentially disastrous Spotted Lantern Fly (SLF).
considered to be an invasive species, but it’s water under
the bridge. The first documented local report of the SLF was in
2014; it is quickly spreading throughout the east coast
Currently, the landscaping industry is in a quandary and may well devastate the grape orchard, wood product,
as to how to offer foreign plant species that are in public and green industries. Both nymphs and adults are phloem
demand without upsetting the local balance of nature. We feeders, meaning that they suck sap from stems and
have seen some species that by their nature are able to leaves, thus withering entire plants. I've seen it written
thrive uncontrollably in our native lands. that SLF will consume Milkweed, and that happily, the
toxic qualities of Milkweed can kill them as a result. If
In the spring time when this turns out to be true, it’s great
you are traveling about, pay news for the Monarch Butterfly, so
Spotted Lantern fly
attention when ornamental Sp ott ed Lant e r n fly let’s all plant more Milkweed.
pears, Bradford and Cleveland
are the named varieties sold Worldwide trade, and for that
to the public, are flowering matter interstate travel and trade
along road sides. You’ll notice opens the door for some unwanted
a “white-out” of beautiful hitch hikers like Hydrilla on boat
wild growing pears, planted propellers. It seems that the
by birds and the like. Their SLF had arrived in Pennsylvania
dense canopies allow for little unnoticed, aboard some decorative
or no other plants to grow stone from Asia. Once again, we
underneath them. By contrast, have failed to be vigilant.
our native varieties provide
food and shelter or provide host plants for native species. Accidental or intentional
While many of these alien plants also provide nectar and imports of alien species will more than likely continue
fruit to feed our animals and insects, the real problem is unabated, as we don't know what we don't know
that there is no mechanism to control their proliferation, yet. However, the intentional introduction of plants
such as animals from whence they came. This lack of and animals form foreign environs without at least
control gives them an unfair competitive advantage over anticipating their effects through research and trials
our native plants. seems foolish. Plants and animals know only to survive
and procreate at any and all cost. They will consume and
The list of commonly sold invasive non-natives is quite attempt to out compete our native species to ensure their
extensive; some examples include Japanese Barberry, continued existence. If we don't know what's coming in,
Chinese and Japanese Wisteria, which oddly twine in we won't know its impact until it's probably too late.
different directions, Burning Bush, certain bamboos,
and the highly cherished Butterfly Bush, among others. The people who make these decisions may claim to
Many of these species are now being hybridized for size be experts, but when you override the natural order of
and color of bloom, and work is going into making them things hoping for the best, the forces will have been set
sterile so as not to self-seed. in motion for unintended consequences that will affect
future generations. Just how smart are we really?
These efforts may succeed, but truly, the damage has
been done. While some are less worrisome, some present You can reach Bob Siren by email:
obvious problems. Perhaps the worst of all, and most GardenGab@wslk880.com

26 Discover Smith Mountain Lake SPRING 2023