COLUMBUS, Ohio — Bush honeysuckle and tree of heaven are currently two major species of concern in the state forests. That’s why the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry is making an effort to control the spread.
Bush honeysuckle limits growth on the crops, including abandoned fields, roadsides, woodland edges and the interiors of open woodlands. Tree of heaven trees are multiplying and producing 300,000 wind-dispersed seeds per year. They can colonize disturbed sites in Ohio woodlands and suppress growth of native trees.
“We are committed to implementing a more aggressive strategy to control invasive plant species in Ohio’s state forests,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Hiring new staff to specifically manage invasive in the field is one important step in this effort.”
ODNR is currently identifying areas that are of most concern and plan to implement methods to stop the spread of bush honeysuckle and tree of heaven.
Part of the process is hiring new staff members who can help. Click here for more information on open positions.
