LOCAL INVASIVE SPECIES

This week's Woolwich Observer published an article titled "Already a problem for local trees, emerald ash borer expected to be more of an issue". The article while focusing on the ash borer also touched upon wild parsnips, wild turnip and giant hogweed. To my surprise it did not mention another invasive plant namely goutweed which locally is and has been a problem for the last few years.

It is understandable that goutweed has been under the radar because it does not produce dangerous sap such as giant hogweed and wild turnip does. Also it to date has not caused the devastation to trees (ash) that the ash borer has. In terms of financial damages that municipalities have had to deal with due to cutting down and removing dead ash trees the ash borer has taken the priority of attention.
The article suggests that ash trees will not be totally eradicated in Waterloo Region but that they will never regain the numbers and prominence they once held. Any loss of diversity in our ecosystems is not a good thing.

Whether a few years down the road our authorities will be spending time and money to control goutweed is hard to say. It too reduces diversity whether in gardens or in woodlots and therefore also is not a good thing. It is invasive and spreads rapidly out of control while severely damaging other established plants and flowers .