Landscape Architect Articles

Alaska: Popular Tree Takes Over11-15-05 | News

Alaska: Popular Tree Takes Over

Weed-like sprouts are taking over native species in the greenbelts and forests of Anchorage, Ala.

Plant specialists in Anchorage are putting the word out: The European Bird Cherry, also known as the ?EUR??,,????'??May Day tree,?EUR??,,????'?? has been slowly invading greenbelts and parks, choking out native trees in the area. The sturdy ornamental has become a popular landscaping choice due to its fragrant blooms in the spring and its ability to last through Alaska?EUR??,,????'???s long winters. But forest ecologists are now concerned because May Day seedlings are carpeting forest floors overwhelmingly more than those of birches, willows, spruces, alders, or cottonwoods. In an interview with the Anchorage Daily News, Michael Shephard, a federal forest health ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, said, ?EUR??,,????'??If anything?EUR??,,????'???s going to be in the canopy (in the future), it has to start out as a seedling. So for a woody species, a tree or shrub, [the May Day] seems for Anchorage to be the most invasive plant that we have right now.?EUR??,,????'??

The tree is now listed as a species to be monitored in the 2004 annual invasive plant bulletin by the U.S. Forest Service and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service. The Alaska chapter of the ASLA has also informed its members that the European Bird Cherry is no longer recommended, to the dismay of Peter Briggs, a landscape architect at Land Design North. ?EUR??,,????'??I love this tree,?EUR??,,????'?? he said in an interview with the Anchorage Daily News. ?EUR??,,????'??It?EUR??,,????'???s one of the best trees up here for beauty, flowers in the spring, great smelling. It?EUR??,,????'???s unfortunate. ?EUR??,,????'???But if people are planting new trees, I think there are a lot more responsible choices.?EUR??,,????'?? Officials have advised residents to halt any future planting of the tree, especially around greenbelts and forests.

Source: The Anchorage Daily News