Invasives Plant Control

ERG Invasive Plant Removal Programs 

TREE OF HEAVEN REMOVAL

ERG launched the Tree of Heaven  (Ailanthus altissima) Removal Program in 2013. At that time 250 sites infested with Tree of Heaven (TOH) were identified. As of the end of 2022, only 7 known sites remained. This program has managed to eliminate literally thousands of these Chinese tree invaders from roadsides throughout Beverly Shores and from private property. ERG has expended over $32,000 on this project to date.

BURNING BUSH REMOVAL

Burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a very widespread invasive plant in Beverly Shores. Once you recognize the distinctive “wings” or corky ridges on its stems, you can see how widely distributed burning bush is — even in the dead of winter. It is found in almost all non-wetland habitats in town, from woods to open, sunny areas. Burning Bush was once considered a desirable landscape plant because of its brilliant fall color. You will still see it prominently located in many Beverly Shores gardens. It is spreading most rapidly in wooded lots where open understory once hosted a variety of shrubs, vines, wildflowers and wild grasses and sedges. These other native species are now being shaded out. Consider the ecological consequences of one species taking over the complex diversity of the understory here. What will happen to all the other plants, insects, invertebrates and small animals that depend on the cover and food provided by a diverse composition of plants?

ERG added this invasive species to our removal list in 2021. Our first annual burning bush removal project was in November 2021 along Myrtle Avenue between Underwood and St. Clair, extending onto St. Clair, Janeth and Underwood. The project took place in cooperation with the Town of Beverly Shores, 5 private landowners, many volunteers and a giant wood chipper provided and operated by a local tree service. In subsequent years, we have removed burning bush from more private properties, as well as from land owned by the National Park Service, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, and the Town of Beverly Shores.

To keep the burning bush from returning to these recently cleared areas, some vigilance will be required. Burning bush produces abundant seeds., Many of the seeds germinate in the shade of the parent shrubs. These areas will have to be monitored for several years to remove young shrubs. Fortunately, removal is especially easy when the plants are small and can be pulled by hand.

Ready to attack this invasive? If you would like help in removing burning bush from your property, please let the ERG know. We plan to continue our burning bush removal project and would like more landowners to volunteer to allow us to cut and remove burning bush from the right-of-way area adjacent to their property. Use our contact form if you are interested in our help. You can borrow our tools to remove invasives yourself.