Non-Native Invasive Plants

Non-native invasive plants to watch out for in this natural community are ones that thrive in shade and acidic soil, just as the native plants here do.

• Japanese stiltgrass* (low plant)
• multiflora rose* (shrub)
• tree-of-heaven* (tree)

Diseases, Pests, and Other Threats

An invasive insect called hemlock woolly adelgid is wiping out the eastern hemlock trees for which this community is named. No one knows yet whether any young survivors will be able to outlast the outbreak. If not, perhaps only the name of this natural community will remain as a testament to the abundant tall evergreen trees that graced this forest before the 21st century.

Ecobit: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Learn more about some of the ecological threats to the natural communities of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

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