Invasive Plants in Knoxville: How to Combat Them

Neighborhood Coordinator

Debbie Sharp
[email protected]
(865) 215-3232

400 Main St., Room 546
Knoxville, TN 37902

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WHAT DO WE MEAN BY "INVASIVE"?

An invasive species is alien or foreign to the ecosystem in consideration and causes environmental, economic and or human harm. While they may appear to be quite pretty in appearance, these species are dangerous to ecosystems.

Invasive plants have the potential to grow so rapidly that they can cover the entire under-story of a forest!
Native plants would be displaced as a result because they would not be able to get access to space and sunlight for growth.


WHAT ARE THE COMMONLY FOUND INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN KNOXVILLE?


HONEYSUCKLE

(Lonicera maackii)

Honeysuckle Honeysuckle
WINTER CREEPER

( Euonymus fortunei)


Winter Creeper Winter Creeper
 ENGLISH IVY

 (Hedera helix)

English Ivy English Ivy
 CHINESE PRIVET

 (Ligustrum sinense)

Chinese Privet Chinese Privet


WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THESE SPECIES?


Remove them from your yards/properties and other at-risk areas.

Do your research before going to to nurseries to purchase plants.

Volunteer at events (Weed wrangle, Keep Knoxville Beautiful, etc).

Only landscape with native plants.



Sources:
Invasive Plant Control
United States Department of Agriculture