Invasive Terrestrial Plants of Wisconsin

The Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin defines an invasive plant as "one that invades native plant communities and impacts those native communities by displacing or replacing native vegetation." They are "plants out of place" in forests, prairies, and along roadsides. They lack the natural controls found in their native locations and soon spread and take over native plants with the assistance of wind, deep underground runners, or animals carrying their seeds as they move through habitats.

The various terrestrial invasive species have made their way to the roads that follow the shoreline of Birch Lake. West Birch Lake Road has been affected more so than East Birch Lake Road. Property Owners can help prevent the spread of these invasive terrestrial plants by removing them from their property especially along the road-side edge.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers a free on-line PDF version of their Field Guide to Terrestrial Invasive Plants of Wisconsin at http://goo.gl/0fRiiP. 

Bobbie put together some information about the invasives found along East and West Birch Lake Rd.

You can see the information by clicking on the "Pages" to the right.