Knotty By Nature? How To Deal With Pgh’s Invasive Plants

Knotweed, nettle, tree of heaven, and garlic mustard — if you live in Pittsburgh, odds are you’ve been exposed to these pesky plants. But what can we do to get rid of them? And what are the ecological impacts if we succeed? Mason Heberling is the assistant curator of botany at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. He says the best solution is prevention, and lacking that, a whole lot of patience. 

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy recently shared a comprehensive guide to local invasive plants. Check it out here: https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/415693/assets/docs/invasiveplantsofpittsburgh.pdf?utm_content=135049138&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&hss_channel=fbp-7163241268&fbclid=IwAR3co4dplZNmJ3Dsnl3aiuPGOp29fwgxu1_qGa6TjtD90_DWZKLIwEwLzRU

And our state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources keeps a running list of plants you shouldn’t nurture here. Check out the whole thing here: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/WildPlants/InvasivePlants/InvasivePlantFactSheets/Pages/default.aspx

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