Ok Invasives

Commonly Planted Invasive Species
Don't Plant INVASIVE
Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- leaflet base with 1-5 teeth on each edge
- narrow, flat winged samara with one seed in the center

NATIVE Look-alikes
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
- leaflets with finely toothed edges
- fruits rounded with thick green husk

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
- leaflets with finely toothed edges
- fruits oblong with pointed ends

Black Hickory (Carya texana)
- leaflets with finely toothed edges
- fruits rounded with thin husk

Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)
- leaflets with finely toothed edges
- red fruits in crowded, upright clusters

Hickory fruit photo: Kathy McAleese

Read more on our website! https://www.okinvasives.org/plants/ailanthus-altissima

Commonly Planted Invasive Species

Don't Plant INVASIVE
Mimosa/Silktree (Albizia julibrissin)

Plant NATIVE instead
False Indigo Bush (Amorpha fruticosa)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

For more, see our website! https://www.okinvasives.org/plants/albizia-julibrissin%C2%A0

You still have time to register for our W**d Wrangle on Saturday at the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge. It is free and we provide a lunch to volunteers! Should be a beautiful spring day in the Ozarks! https://www.ou.edu/biosurvey/get-involved/field-days

Commonly Planted Invasive Species

Don't Plant INVASIVE
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
- Pair of leaves below flower on separate stems

Plant NATIVE instead
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Pair of leaves below flower are fused

For more, see our website! https://www.okinvasives.org/plants/lonicera-japonica

In partnership with the Oklahoma Biological Survey and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, we will host a W**d Wrangle on April 6th to tackle the invasive Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) at the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge.

Training, gloves, and lunch provided.
Registration is free! https://www.ou.edu/biosurvey/get-involved/field-days

Missouri House may ban the sale of burning bush, Japanese honeysuckle, callery pear, climbing euonymus, and sericea lespedeza.

Missouri House looks to ban non-native tree species While we’re still in the middle of winter across the Ozarks, our recent warm-up may have some looking toward spring and what to start planting.

A Very Prairie Christmas

Historically, eastern redcedar grew where commonly occurring fire couldn't reach them. Fires couldn't spread into bluffs and rocky areas where grassy fuels were limited.

“On the bluff nearest our home was a scattering growth of cedars. Father took us with him as he carried an axe and selected a tree.. Then Father set it up securely in the center of the living room.
There was the most delightful odor of scorching cedar...”
-Harriet Adams, Marysville, KS. Christmas, 1870’s.

Unidentified children with cedar Christmas tree (1900-1909).
Courtesy of the Kansas Historical Society

OkIPC Elections are next month. A slate of candidates has been announced. Be sure to sign up for our eNewsletter to get notification of the online ballot in January.

OkIPC Elections 2024 | okinvasives The link for voting will be sent through this eNewsletter (sign up now) on the morning of January 22.  Online voting will be open January 22-29.  Results will be announced by January 31.

Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council Annual Conference
Invasive Plants, Animals, and Pathogens

Friday, December 1st 9:00am - 4:30pm
Arcadia Conservation Education Area, Edmond, OK
7201 East 33rd Street Edmond, OK 73013
https://www.okinvasives.org/2023-conference

Topics Include
Feral Hogs
Johnsongrass
Callery Pear
Grass Carp

Early Registration Sale ends November 27th!

Full Price Registration
Student $25
Non-Professional $45
Professional $65

Taco Bar Lunch Included!

Schedule of Presentations is available for our conference next week. Don't miss out - Registration price goes up on Monday!
https://www.okinvasives.org/2023-conference