Forest Health

Over the past few months, I have received several phone calls from residents across the state who share a similar problem: they have large trees in their yards that need to be trimmed or removed, yet they do not want the wood to go to waste. Is there any productive use for the woody material that will come from their trees? The product from a relatively simple process may be an answer.

In the News and Notes roundup for this issue: Threatened bobwhite quail return to restored habitat in Wicomico County; Garrett College is now home to two historic seedlings; how to report sightings of beech leaf disease; and the 2025 American chestnut photo contest is now open.

Without a doubt, Maryland’s woodlands face an increasing number of challenges. But it is also important to recognize the good news among the less-than-good.

Originally native to eastern Asia, the paper mulberry bark has long been valued for making paper and cloth. But it was valued for its rapid growth and aesthetic qualities and was introduced to the U.S. in the early 1900s as a fast-growing ornamental shade tree. Over time, it was planted widely in urban and suburban landscapes; however, it escaped cultivation and began to colonize natural areas.

Lesser celandine can be an ecological threat. It was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant in the late 1800s. Although its sale was banned in Maryland in 2017, it may still be available for sale in other states.

The white mulberry reached our shores during the colonial period. This invasive plant is found in every Maryland county.

Winter Creeper arrived in the U.S. in 1907 and has since spread throughout much of the eastern states. This vigorous evergreen perennial vine can grow in a variety of conditions, can grow into shrub thickets up to 3 feet high, and may climb into trees more than 60 feet above the ground.

Chinese and Japanese Wisterias arrived in the U.S. in the early 1800s and have since spread to habitats across much of the eastern states. These twining and climbing vines can not only strangle and shade out trees, but can form dense thickets that suppress other native species.

Afforestation is the process of planting trees in formerly open space. Because trees take time to mature, it is important to ensure that the seedlings have sufficient light and nutrients to grow. This often involves controlling growth of other species within the planting area, including invasive species such as the distinctive Johnsongrass. And once established in an area, Johnsongrass can out-compete many other species for nutrients and over-top them to rob them of sunlight.

Porcelain-berry is a deciduous, climbing, woody vine introduced from northeast Asia in the 1870s. It became popular for its tolerance of adverse conditions and its ability to provide ground cover. However, it is an aggressive plant that invades damp, shady areas such as streambanks, forest edges, pond margins, and disturbed areas, and forms dense mats that crowds out native vegetation.