NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) – There are plants that should be here in our landscape. Invasive species are non-native plants that grow or reproduce aggressively in our native environment.
They are not controlled by predators, competitors or diseases, so their inhabitants can dominate the local landscape. Some of these plants have been promoted by marketers as plants that "do well" in our environment. Over time, it became invasive.
The Chinese private sector is an excellent example. It entered the North Texas landscape about two generations ago as a fast-growing hedge plant. In season, it produces abundant amounts of purple berries that birds eat. These seeds are transmitted by birds through their droppings.
Particular landscapes prefer shade or full sun. If left alone, it can become a small tree. It smothers native plants by forming a thick arc in the soil as it spreads. The only thing you can do is uproot it to prevent it from spreading.
That's exactly what Bachman Creek Greenbelt Extension volunteers are doing near Love Field in Dallas.
Along the headwaters of the Bachman River is a unique 54-acre parcel of land that has remained untouched since the founding of Dallas in 1841. It was long part of the Love Field service and was overlooked in the development of the green belt current. (Does not add to existing garden).
This fall, the city built a walking trail in the unimproved area. Dallas was full of invasive species and other invasive species that had spread from the lawn.
Next to the river there is an oak tree that is about 200 years old. So big that the state Department of Forestry ordered the tree to be inspected, which would have been enough to recognize it as the new state champion.
And while Dallas was fully developed around him, he was also completely mature. But under its enormous branches, his entire world changed. Privet now controls the basement. The factory occupation caused enough stress on the sister next door that she eventually died.
The road was closed for about a month. When we revisited this story, we discovered that Brevet had already returned to the open fields. Not only special species, but also other invasive species such as nandina, lily of the valley, Chinese pistachio and mimosa.
Cleaning work will continue and the road is expected to be operational in the spring of next year. As invasive species are removed, native plants are expected to return.
When deciding which plants to plant in your garden, compare them to the Texas Invasives database found on this site. You may be surprised to know that plants sold at local nurseries are on this list. It is our duty to protect local plants and their environment.
Jeff Ray is CBS News' Texas Early Warning Meteorologist and an avid gardener. When she's not covering the weather, she covers gardening stories in North Texas. If you would like Jeff to talk to his team about how climate change will change our gardens in this region, please email jaray@viacomcbs.com .
