Controlling NC Invasive Plants

How to manage North Carolina’s most common invasive plants

Unfortunately, there are many invasive plants that grow abundantly throughout Charlotte’s urban forest. Invasive species outcompete native plants and take over natural spaces, which reduces biological diversity, threatens wildlife, and decreases ecosystem productivity. Many invasives, such as English ivy and Kudzu, are well known for choking out large, historic trees. To stop the spread of invasive plants, we recommend removing them safely and replanting native! Unfortunately, the selling of these harmful, invasive plants is still legal in North Carolina, so be sure to do research before making a plant purchase and try to shop at native plant nurseries! If you already have invasive plants on your property, check out the info booklet from the NC Botanical Garden to learn how you can get rid of them: