Non-Native Invasive Plants

Dense-rooted colonies of native mountain laurel help keep the numbers of non-native invasive competitors down. The Oak – Beech / Heath Forest has shallow, acidic, and drought-prone soils, which only a few hardy non-native invasive plants can handle. The harms caused by non-native invasive plants include competition with natives for soil nutrients, sunlight, and pollinators, and degradation of animal habitat. (* indicates non-native)

• English ivy* (vine)
• Japanese stiltgrass* (herb)
• linden arrow-wood* (shrub)
• Norway maple* (tree)
• oriental bittersweet*(vine)
• sweet mock orange* (shrub)
• wine raspberry* (shrub)

Diseases, Pests, and Other Threats

Some current and potential ecological threats for the Oak – Beech / Heath Forest in Rock Creek Park include:

• Excessive deer browse: decimation of oak seedlings and shrubs
• Viburnum leaf beetle (potential): damage to mapleleaf viburnum
• Gypsy moth: damage to oaks
• Sudden oak death (potential): damage to oaks
• Beech bark disease (potential): damage to American beech
• Dogwood anthracnose: decline of flowering dogwood

Learn more about some of the ecological threats to the natural communities of Rock Creek Park.

See Making a Difference to learn about some of the ways park staff are addressing these threats—and ways you can help, too.