Preserving maximum plant and wildlife diversity is an active and adaptive process, requiring the maintenance of a wide variety of habitats. Management plans must continually be revisited to ensure that our goals are met.

Environmental Protection Conservation and Management Nature PreservesInvasive Plant Species

Invasive Plant Species

The Spring Island Trust needs your help!

Please help locate and kill invasive plants in your yard and beyond. An invasive species is one that is not native to this area. Invasive species out-compete native species.

Dedicated volunteers like the tallow tree task force have helped keep invaders in check. However, we need everyone's help. Listed below are some of the invaders on Spring Island right now. You do not need to ask permission to get rid of these in your yard or anywhere else.

Spring Island's Most Wanted

	Chinese Tallow Tree or Popcorn Tree Triadica sebifera Not to be confused with coral bean Additional pics and info

	Chinese lespedeza Sericea lespedeza Additional pics and info

	Rattlebox Crotalaria

	Japanese Climbing Fern Lygodium japonicum Additional pics and info

	Privet (numerous species) Ligustrum spp. Additional pics and info

	Wisteria Wisteria sinensis Additional pics and info

For plants up to a few inches in diameter, cut (or break) the stems with loppers, chainsaw, or axe. Next, spray the stem with a brush-killing herbicide such as Roundup (Glyphosate). Other good herbicides include the active ingredients Imazapyr or Triclopyr. (You'll have to read the side of the herbicide bottle). Generic versions can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot.

For small plants you can just spray the leaves directly during the growing season.

For tree-sized invaders, you can either cut it down or use the hack and squirt method. For the hack and squirt method, take an axe or hatchet and cut around the truk. Then spray the herbicide into the cuts.

Invasive Plant Species

Spring Island's Most Wanted

Chinese Tallow Tree or Popcorn Tree
Triadica sebifera

Chinese lespedeza
Sericea lespedeza

Rattlebox
Crotalaria

Japanese Climbing Fern
Lygodium japonicum

Privet (numerous species)
Ligustrum spp.

Wisteria
Wisteria sinensis

Learn More…

How to Kill an Invasive Species

Invasive Plant Species

Spring Island's Most Wanted

Chinese Tallow Tree or Popcorn TreeTriadica sebifera

Chinese lespedezaSericea lespedeza

RattleboxCrotalaria

Japanese Climbing FernLygodium japonicum

Privet (numerous species)Ligustrum spp.

WisteriaWisteria sinensis

Learn More…

How to Kill an Invasive Species

Chinese Tallow Tree or Popcorn Tree
Triadica sebifera

Chinese lespedeza
Sericea lespedeza

Rattlebox
Crotalaria

Japanese Climbing Fern
Lygodium japonicum

Privet (numerous species)
Ligustrum spp.

Wisteria
Wisteria sinensis