Invasive Plants or Trees

In this issue, we look at musk thistle, also known as "nodding thistle," one of four invasive thistles classified as a noxious weed by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Each plant can spread over 100,000 seeds.

Mile-a-minute is a vigorous invasive that may only have just begun to spread in the United States. One estimate surmises that it is only found in 20% of its potential range in this country.

This issue features Invasives in Your Woodlands, the Woodland Wildlife Spotlight, the Brain Tickler, and woodland stewardship news from around the region.

This issue has a year in review, the Woodland Wildlife Spotlight, Invasives in Your Woodland, the Brain Tickler challenge, how native trees and shrubs can benefit wildlife, and more.

Twenty-five years of "Branching Out" - read how it all started. Plus, read our "Woodland Wildlife Spotlight" and "Invasives in Your Woodland," and take the Brain Tickler challenge. This and much more inside this issue.

Read our features Woodland Wildlife Spotlight, Invasives in Your Woodland, and the Brain Tickler challenge. There's also news about the state Tree Farmer of the Year and much more.

Porcelain-berry is a deciduous, climbing, woody vine introduced from northeast Asia in the 1870s. It became popular for its tolerance of adverse conditions and its ability to provide ground cover. However, it is an aggressive plant that invades damp, shady areas such as streambanks, forest edges, pond margins, and disturbed areas, and forms dense mats that crowds out native vegetation.

Lesser celandine can be an ecological threat. It was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant in the late 1800s. Although its sale was banned in Maryland in 2017, it may still be available for sale in other states.

Read about some of the changes to the Woodland Stewardship Education program and News and Notes about stories you might have missed. Our regular features include the Woodland Wildlife Spotlight and Invasives in Your Woodland, and the Brain Tickler challenge. 

Garlic mustard is a biennial flowering plant in the mustard family that is an aggressive invader of woodlands throughout the United States.