Non-Native Invasive Plants

The understory of the Coastal Plain Oak Forest in Rock Creek Park is full of non-native bushes and vines. 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)

• bush honeysuckles*
• non-native cherry species* (trees)
• Chinese wisteria* (vine)
• chocolate vine* (vine)
• common periwinkle*
• English ivy* (vine)
• garlic mustard* (low plant)
• Japanese honeysuckle* (vine)
• mulitflora rose* (bush)
• Norway maple*(tree)
• non-native viburnum species* (bushes)

Diseases, Pests, and Other Threats

Current and potential ecological threats for the Coastal Plain Oak Forest in Rock Creek Park include the following:

• Excessive deer browse: decimation of oak seedlings and shrubs
• Gypsy moth: damage to oaks
• Sudden oak death (potential): damage to oaks
• Viburnum leaf beetle (potential): non-native invasive viburnums could harbor this pest which also attacks native viburnums in nearby communities
• Asian long-horned beetle (potential): damage to red maple and elms
• Dogwood anthracnose: decline of flowering dogwood