Non-native Invasive Species General Information
North Carolina, like every other state in the country, has been invaded by non-native diseases, plants and insects that threaten the health of our forests. Insect pests can hitchhike across oceans in the wood of international shipping containers or cross state lines in firewood harvested in places where a pest is already well established. The seeds of invasive plants can be spread in fill dirt, by the wind or by equipment brought onto your land. Some nurseries sell ornamental invasive plants to landscapers or unwittingly provide landscaping trees or mulch that is affected by pests and pathogens.
As a woodland owner, your best line of defense is information. Once you’ve learned about the threat that non-native invasives pose to your woods, you can take the appropriate action to eliminate or treat forest pests and pathogens. Walk your land regularly to look for signs of these invaders.
Invasive Species: How Exotic Plants, Animals and Insects Impact North Carolina (NC State University College of Natural Resources)
From the emerald ash borer to feral swine, North Carolina is home to a number of invasive species that can have devastating impacts on the environment, economy and even human health.
Forest Threat Facts: Invasive Species (USDA)
Plants, animals, and other living things can cause harm when introduced to new areas. Known as non-native invasive species, they can thrive in areas outside their natural population range due to a combination of favorable environmental conditions and a lack of native controls such as predators or herbivores (plant-eating animals).
Invasive Plants and Pests in Your North Carolina Woods (My N.C. Woods)
Once they become established, invasive plants have the ability to overcome native species. By doing so they threaten the insects and wildlife that depend on the native plants for survival. That’s why it’s so important to know the plants on your land and to take steps to eradicate those that don’t belong.
Invasive Plants and Your Forest (N.C. State Extension)
Non-native plants are referred to by many names: exotic, nonindigenous, alien or even noxious weeds. Non-native plant species become invasive when they spread and reproduce beyond their area of origin, aggressively dominate or cause harm in a new area.
Invasive Plants and their Impact on Wildlife (video) (ForestHer NC)
This webinar provides a general overview of invasive plants and how they affect the natural world. Learn about some of the resources available to help landowners identify invasive plants on their property.
Drought and Invasive Species (video) (USDA Forest Service)
Drought creates the potential for invasive plant species to increase in diversity and abundance in a variety of ecosystems, often mediated by the occurrence of disturbances (wildfire, insect outbreaks).
Invasives 101 (N.C. Invasive Plant Control)
Everyone in Southeastern US is familiar with kudzu, which has become the poster child for invasive plants. Scenes of cars, buildings and entire fields engulfed by the plant have circulated over the years. NC-IPC strives to prevent the next kudzu from invading our forests, crops, and our personal properties. Here are a few examples of how invasive plants affect North Carolina.
Alien Invaders! (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission)
Ever wonder if there is life on another planet? Well, what if you knew there were alien invaders right in your own backyard? That is the case for most private landowners in the state of North Carolina.
What are Non-Native Invasive Species (N.C. Forest Service)
Non-native species or exotic species are organisms that have been introduced to regions outside their natural or historical home ranges
Woodland Stewards Webinar Series – Identifying and Managing Woodland Threats (On-Demand Webinar)
Threats to your woodland can come in many sizes and shapes; disease, insects, invasive plants, and any combination of these three categories. In this session, our team of experts will introduce you to a few basic pest principles, present a model example of each threat, and offer some simple practices to help ensure your woodland remains healthy and productive.
Invasive Plant Best Management Practices (video, USDA Forest Service)
Whether you’re a gardener, a landowner, a forester to a logger; the movement of invasive species is always a concern. A BMP can be as simple as cleaning your shoes or as complex as pressure washing your bulldozer. Regardless of your practice, the goal is always to minimize the spread of invasive species. Learn how to create best management practices (BMPs) that help identify and minimize the spread of invasive species.
Invasive Plant Management for Landowners (Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) In this 42 page guide, learn what an invasive species is, the impacts of invasive plants and what management tools you can use to control them.
‘Tis the Season: Winter Invasive Plant Control (Penn State Extension)
Just because most of the leaves have fallen doesn’t mean your vegetation management activities have to stop. A number of plant growth forms are susceptible to control measures in the dormant season. Winter is a useful time to manage winter annuals, biennials, non-suckering woody species, and woody vines.
Controlling Invasive Plants (N.C. Botanical Garden)
The goal of this booklet is to educate residents of the North Carolina Piedmont about the common invasive plant species of their gardens and yards, and those found in surrounding natural areas. A further goal is to provide information on how to control invasive plants in the landscape.
WEED ALERT: Control Invasive Trees (Blue Ridge PRISM)
Spring is the perfect time of year to go after invasive trees on your land. Whether they are taking over a pasture or wildflower meadow, popping up along a roadside or driveway, or invading a forest edge or clearing, invasive trees spell trouble. Like all invasive plants, they outcompete desirable native plants and provide scarce resources for birds, bees, and other wildlife.