Invasives in the News

Middle school volunteers learning how to use a weed wrench from FPR staff in Richmond, VT.

Season highlights for Invasive Plant Management in Vermont

January 16, 2019

The growing season for 2018 saw many projects across the state tackling the forest, field, and wetland health issue of non-native invasive plants. Below are highlights of some of these amazing local efforts. Huge thanks to everyone who is working toward making our Vermont landscapes healthier and more resilient, and protecting them for generations to come.

Emerald Ash Borer Municipal Planning Grants

November 7, 2018

These grants will support efforts to prepare for and manage the impacts of emerald ash borer (EAB). EAB is a destructive and invasive forest pest that feeds on all species of ash trees, killing over 99% within four years of infestation. The state's forested land is made up of about 5% ash, yet up to 50% of downtown trees in Vermont are ash. All said, Vermont is home to an estimated 160 million ash trees. EAB is now confirmed in Orange, Washington, Caledonia, Grand Isle, and Bennington Counties. Communities statewide are encouraged to prepare to manage the decline of ash trees and the future of an urban tree canopy without ash.

Proposal to End Domestic Quarantine for Emerald Ash Borer

November 6, 2018

USDA APHIS is proposing to end the federal emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine. As indicated in the announcement below, USDA is taking comments on the proposed “deregulation”.

VTDEC Technician holds a sampling rake full of Hydrilla

Watch Out for Number 1!

November 6, 2018

Hydrilla, touted as the worst aquatic invasive species, was recently found in a waterbody that is hydrologically connected to Vermont in the Connecticut River. As part of an Early Detection and Rapid Response, VTDEC staff joined state biologists from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire to sample sections of the river in Connecticut to survey the extent of the infestation.

Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Grand Isle County

October 10, 2018

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has confirmed that insects collected from ash trees in South Hero, VT are larvae of the emerald ash borer (EAB). This location is about fifty miles from the closest confirmed EAB infestation in Vermont. This invasive insect was first discovered in Vermont in February, and has also been confirmed in Orange, Washington, Caledonia, and Bennington counties.

Euonymus europaeus has orange arils with pink capsules

Watch list species highlight: European Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus)

October 8, 2018

European spindle tree (Euonymus europaeus) is a member of the spindle tree family (Celastraceae), which includes species that are also invasive to North America like burning bush (Euonymus alatus) and Asiatic bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus). Species within the spindle tree family are woody shrubs or woody vines, all which have brightly colored flesh (arils) around the seeds ranging from reds to oranges. These fruits appear on the European spindle tree in the late summer and early fall.

Zebra Mussels Identified in Magog Bay, Lake Memphremagog

August 22, 2018

Zebra mussels have been confirmed in the Canadian waters of Lake Memphremagog.

Photo: Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Purple loosestrife can reach heights of several meters.

Looks can be deceiving: Purple Loosestrife

August 9, 2018

If you’ve ever spent a late August afternoon along a lake with a reedy shoreline, you may have noticed the brilliant, beautiful purple flowers of this month’s focal plant: purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

two restoration crew members pose next to a wild parsnip that is taller than them both (6 feet tall or more).

Watch list species highlight: Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

August 9, 2018

In mid-summer, Vermont starts to see a wave of yellow flowers bloom along roads, fields, meadows, and trails. This plant is called Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and is similar in appearance to Queen Ann’s Lace (Daucus carota). Wild Parsnip is a member of the carrot family (Apiaceae), and is currently considered taxonomically indistinct from the common garden parsnip.

EAB Detected in Bennington County

August 3, 2018

Officials say the invasive pest the emerald ash borer has been found in the southern Vermont town of Stamford. The location is within five miles of a location in North Adams, Massachusetts, where the insect was also recently discovered.

Beetles released onto purple loosestrife plants

Beetles released to eat loosestrife in Pa.

July 9, 2018

Biological control of purple loosestrife is being attempted in Pa. wetlands.

The flowers of Wild Chervil form in clusters called an umbel, almost resembling an umbrella.

Watch list species highlight: Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris)

June 27, 2018

Many invasive plants in Vermont start blooming in May. Keep an eye out for one obvious bloomer this time of year, Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris), or also commonly called “cow parsley”. This invasive plant can be seen alongside roads, and is notable in our rolling Vermont fields. This is a biennial herbaceous plant within the carrot family, Apiaceae. In Vermont, there are two introduced Anthriscus species documented outside of cultivation, and include Wild Chervil and its close relative, Garden Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium). The name, Chervil, comes perhaps from Latin and Greek roots, collectively meaning “leaf to enjoy”.

middle school students pose in front of the wooded area where they just removed invasive plants

Students help VT Forests, Parks & Recreation tackle invasive plants

June 27, 2018

The floodplain forest in Richmond rang out with the excitement and hard work of 50 5^th graders. In teams, the students worked to remove a non-native invasive plant—honeysuckle. Their ranks were led by community volunteer, Jon Kart, and the team members of VT Forests, Parks & Recreation’s Invasive Plants Program (VTIPP).

Say Goodbye To Your Ash Trees: Ash Borer Spreads To Montpelier

June 27, 2018

The invasive emerald ash borer has been found in Montpelier. City officials are taking steps to protect some trees along city streets, but ultimately they say most of Montpelier’s ash trees will die.

Fighting Invasive Bug Is Costly Effort

June 26, 2018

The invasive tree-killer that’s alarming Vermont forestry officials could cost the town of Hartford alone hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to early projections by Tree Warden Brad Goedkoop.