BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A new effort to replace invasive trees and shrubs with native plants across Pennsylvania — at no cost to property owners — is underway.
“Invasive species crowd out native plants, damage ecosystems and make it harder for pollinators and birds to thrive,” state Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a news release.
“By removing invasive trees and shrubs and replacing them with native species, Pennsylvanians can restore balance to their landscapes, improve habitat for wildlife and help stop the spread of harmful plants.
“With more than 2,000 native species in Pennsylvania, there are plenty of great alternatives to enhance yards and green spaces.”
State environmental officials on Friday announced the Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive Program.
Funded by the U.S. Forest Service, the program encourages property owners to remove invasive plants by offering up to five native replacements, for free, during events in May throughout the state.
Learning whether a plant's invasive
There are more than 140 invasive plant species across the commonwealth, according to the state Department of Agriculture.
The program aims to replace some of Pennsylvania’s most problematic invasive species, including: Callery pear, also known as Bradford pear; tree-of-heaven; princess tree; Norway maple; Japanese barberry; burning bush; and butterfly bush.
“Replacing invasives with beneficial natives is a way homeowners can eliminate threats to their farming neighbors and attract pollinators that will continue to benefit farms and beautify Pennsylvania landscapes for years to come.”Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
If residents are unsure whether a plant is invasive, officials said they can email a photo to RA-NRCommunityForest@pa.gov. Experts at DCNR will help with identification.
After removing an invasive tree or shrub from their property or with permission from a property owner, residents take a picture of it and submit it through an event’s registration form.
Then residents attend an event to get their replacement tree or shrub.
Photos from as early as 2020 will be accepted, officials said, and native trees and shrubs distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Information on sessions
While there aren’t any events scheduled for the Lehigh Valley, there are two scheduled to the north and south, in Scranton and Darby, Delaware County; the latter’s registration already is full.
Dates, times and locations are:
- Erie, from 9 a.m. to noon May 3: Register here.
- Darby, Delaware County, from 10 a.m. to noon May 3: Registration is full; waitlist available.
- Carlisle, Cumberland County, from 1 to 6 p.m. May 9: Registration is full; waitlist available.
- Greensburg, Westmoreland County, from 9 a.m. to noon May 10: Registration is full; waitlist available.
- Scranton, from noon to 3 p.m. May 18: Register here.
“Invasive trees and shrubs take over farm fields, landscapes and forests, choking out native species and harboring ticks and harmful pests like spotted lanternflies,” Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said.
“Replacing invasives with beneficial natives is a way homeowners can eliminate threats to their farming neighbors and attract pollinators that will continue to benefit farms and beautify Pennsylvania landscapes for years to come.”
For more information, go to the DCNR’s website.
