Invasive plants are detrimental to our mountain ecosystems. Invasive plants displace native plants, kill other plants and cost humans money when they choke up waterways, roadsides and farmland. Property owners should avoid planting invasive plants and control invasive plants they find on their land.

Controlling Invasive Plants Perform a multi-step evaluation approach when undertaking an invasive plant control project:

• Conduct a non-native invasive plant inventory which may include GIS mapping;
• Develop a multi-seasonal strategic management plan;
• Begin treatment in phases, basing control approach on treatment phase and invasive plant species; and
• Restore native plant species if little or no natural seed bank is present.

Once invasive are identified utilize IPM – Integrated Pest Management program. Try to use least toxic methods first saving pesticides as a last resort.

• Repeated mowing (for years)
• Hand removal
• Physical removal with machinery (weed trimmers, mowers, bush hogs, bulldozers, etc.)
• Goats - best if multiple acres involved
• Spraying with systemic herbicides –

1. Round up (glyphosate; off patent; many cheaper products available) – will kill all plants, must soak leaves
2. Crossbow (2-4,D+triclopyr) – very potent; only kills broadleaf; does not kill grass!!!
3. Transline (clopyralid) – kills kudzu; won’t kill most other plants; safe to spray over most trees
4. Cut and treat woody stumps immediately with herbicides
5. READ THE CHEMICAL LABEL THOROUGHLY!!!

A very informative website to help you identify problem plants in your landscapes is the Invasive Plants of NC website.

Invasive Plants Found in WNC

TREES

Ailanthus altissima (Tree-of-Heaven)
Albizia julibrissin (Mimosa)
Paulownia tomentosa (Princess Tree)
​Pyrus calleryana (Bradford Pear)
Triadica sebifera (Chinese Tallow Tree)

SHRUBS

Berberis (Mahonia) bealei ) (Leatherleaf Mahonia)
Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry)
Buddleja davidii (Butterfly Bush)
Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive)
Elaeagnus pungens (Thorny Olive)
​Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)
Euonymus alata (Burning Bush)
Ligustrum sinense (Chinese Privet)
​Lonicera fragrantissima (Fragrant Honeysuckle)​
Lonicera maackii (Bush Honeysuckle)​
Poncirus trifoliata (Trifoliate Orange)
Rosa multiflora (Multiflora Rose)
Spiraea japonica var. fortunei (Japanese Spiraea)
Tamarix ramosissima (Salt Cedar)

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Alliaria petiolata (Garlic Mustard)
Arthraxon hispidus (Small Carpetgrass)
​Arundo donax (Giant Reed)
​Cyperus entrerianus (Deep-rooted Sedge)
Ficaria verna (Fig Buttercup)
Glechoma hederacea (Ground Ivy)
Heracleum mantegazzianum (Giant Hogweed)
Imperata cylindrica (Cogongrass)
Iris pseudacorus (Yellowflag Iris)
Lespedeza bicolor (Bicolor/Shrub Lespedeza)
​Lespedeza cuneata (Chinese Lespedeza)
Lygodium microphyllum (Old World Climbing Fern)
Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife)
Microstegium vimineum (Japanese Stilt Grass)
Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese Silvergrass)
Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. undulatifolius (Wavyleaf Basketgrass)
Perilla frutescens (Beefsteak Plant)
Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canarygrass)​
Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Bamboo)
Reynoutria japonica (Japanese Knotweed) ​
Solanum viarum (Tropical Soda Apple)
Sorghum halepense (Johnson Grass)
​Stellaria media (Common Chickweed)

Vines

Akebia quinata (Chocolate Vine)
Ampelopsis brevipedunculata (Porcelain Berry)
Cayratia japonica (Bushkiller)
Celastrus orbiculatus (Oriental Bittersweet)
​Clematis terniflora (Sweet Autumn Virgin's Bower)
Dioscorea bulbifera (Air Potato)
Euonymus fortunei var. radicans (Winter Creeper)
Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)
Persicaria perfoliata (Mile-A-Minute Vine)
Pueraria montana (Kudzu)
Tribulus terrestris (Puncturevine)
Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria)
Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria)

Aquatic plants

Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrilla)
Nymphoides cristata (Crested Floating Heart)