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Exotic Forest Plants
Article #214, September 2014

     Exotic pests are one of the more serious threats to forest health.  While few exotics pose serious challenges, there are some insects, diseases, and plants that do.  Eradication is possible if small infestations can be detected early.

     In this article series, the more serious exotic forest pests will be reviewed.  Over 40,000 exotic species have been introduced into North America and most have proven to be useful to humans and benign to the natural environment.  Most exotic introductions fail to establish, but some have grown invasive and damaging.
     A large number of exotic plants cause problems in our forests, lakes, wetlands, and other habitats.  The forest has a fewer number, due to the inherent characteristics of most exotic plants, but their presence is important and widespread across much of Michigan. 
     Successful exotic plant invasions are often facilitated by other plant and animal species that cause disruptions of forest ecology.  This pattern is sometimes called a “cascade effect”.  Interestingly, eradication of the exotic plant will not necessarily restore earlier conditions.  Garlic mustard is one such exotic plant.
     Garlic mustard does best when white-tailed deer, slugs (exotic), earthworms (another exotic) and other forest components produce this cascade effect.  When garlic mustard is successfully eradicated, restoration of the forest floor still fails. 
     Garlic mustard tends to dominate the forest floor over time, helping to preclude regeneration of other plant species.  It prefers richer, mesic soils that also support northern hardwood forest types.  Viable seeds can persist in the soil for many years. 
     Glossy buckthorn and European or common buckthorn are shrubs that occupy more open woodland sites and can quickly colonize after a timber harvest.  Glossy buckthorn prefers moister sites near wetlands while common buckthorn is a more upland invader.  Both can overtake habitat by displacing, sometimes almost completely, native plants.  The attractive fruit is spread by birds but provides little nourishment. 
     Buckthorn is an alternative host for certain agricultural pests and diseases.  The shrubs, along with other exotic species (especially earthworms), can alter soil conditions that favor buckthorn and work against many native species.  Contrary to the name, the species has no benefit to white-tailed deer. 
     There is a native species of buckthorn.   Therefore, identifying the species correctly is important. 
     Autumn olive, once recommended as a wildlife planting, is an aggressive invader of old fields.  Dense stands with sharp false thorns are daunting.  Flowers are fragrant and distinctive, easily caught in the spring air.  The red fruits are tart and tasty.  The foliage often has a green-gray shade.  With practice, the structural form can be easily identified. 
     Various species of exotic honeysuckle are yet another invasive shrub group, a common sight in many residential areas and urban parks.  Like other exotic shrubs, honeysuckles can be part of the “cascade effect” that leads to semi-permanent habitat degradation.  Watery berry-like fruits are orange to red, depending upon the species.  There are also native honeysuckles but they do not reach shrub size. 
     Lastly, Japanese barberry is a common problem in much of southern Michigan and certain areas in the rest of the state.  The ornamental shrub is a landscape favorite but an enemy of the forest.  A small-leaved plant, with red berries, and sharp spines make it reasonably easy to identify. 
     None of these exotic species are particularly palatable to deer, so they have a competitive advantage over many native species in areas where browsing pressure is high.  Each of them has reproductive strategies and environmental tolerances that have contributed to their success. 
     More information about these, and other, exotics can be found from either the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) or the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN).  The MNFI has a good field guide.  None of these species are likely to be eliminated from Michigan’s landscape.  However, the populations might be managed to minimize their impact, if research-based strategies are used with ecosystem restoration in mind.  Sometimes, simple removal won’t be enough. 

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Trailer
Bill Cook is an MSU Extension forester providing educational programming for the Upper Peninsula. His office is located at the MSU Forest Biomass Innovation Center near Escanaba. The Center is the headquarters for three MSU Forestry properties in the U.P., with a combined area of about 8,000 acres. He can be reached at cookwi@msu.edu or 906-786-1575.

Prepared by Bill Cook, Forester/Biologist, Michigan State University Extension, 6005 J Road, Escanaba, MI  49829
906-786-1575 (voice),  906-786-9370 (fax),  e-mail:  cookwi@msu.edu

Use / reprinting of these articles is encouraged. Please notify Bill Cook.
By-line should read "Bill Cook, MSU Extension" Please use the article trailer whenever possible.

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