Invasive Plants

What is an Invasive Species?

Invasive species are non-native species that can cause harm to the environment, the economy, or to human health. Invasives come from all around the world. As international trade increases, so does the rate of invasive species introductions. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to New York's biodiversity. They cause or contribute to: habitat degradation and loss; the loss of native fish, wildlife, and tree species; the loss of recreational opportunities and income; and crop damage and diseases in humans and livestock ( from the New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation).

What are those berries?

Exotic bush honeysuckle is perhaps the most widespread exotic invasive in the U.S. Widely dispersed by birds, it is now found in at least 38 states.

Garlic Mustard

Garlic mustard is one of very few non-native plants to be able to successfully invade forest understories.

Tree of Heaven

Also known as China sumac or varnishtree, the invasive Tree-of-Heaven can damage and foundations in urban areas.

Common Reed

Common reed can rapidly form dense stands of stems which crowd out or shade native vegetation in inland and estuary wetland areas.

Last updated September 27, 2023

Invasive Plants

Disposing of Invasive Plants

Guidelines for Disposal of Terrestrial Invasive Plants (2011) is a 4-page PDF (1422kb) that covers methods for disposing of woody & non-woody plant materials, grasses and sedges, and includes a list of invasive plants that should not go into your compost pile.