The Conservation Commission strongly believes that invasive plants pose a major ecological and economic threat to towns across Connecticut. We continues our efforts to manage invasives on town open spaces and in educating the public about their impact to our community.

We would also like to expand our column to include other conservation topics concerning our community with the same quality and attention to detail. Starting in January, we will be changing our column name to “Conservation Corner” and we hope you will continue to find our articles interesting and educational.

Meanwhile, there are two invasive species on our minds as summer gives way to fall: tree of heaven and burning bush (winged euonymus), aggressive spreaders that disrupt native habitats to outcompete local native flora and degrade public and private property.

Tree of heaven (TOH) is tolerant of many soil conditions, seizing opportunity in disturbed areas. Proper identification is important to be sure it is not staghorn sumac, black walnut, or some other desirable tree. Specific methods are required for successful removal. Cutting alone will allow the tree to resprout. For more information on treatment, go to Penn State Extension.

There is another reason to control TOH. This summer, many of us witnessed large, colorful insects landing on trees, buildings, and cars. Spotted lanternflies were likely brought here as egg masses in shipments of stone. TOH, however, is likely responsible for this lanternfly “outbreak.” It is the preferred (host) plant of this invasive pest. According to MI State University, TOH is by far the most highly preferred and suitable host plant for the lanternfly. Immature and adult lanternflies feeding on TOH have higher survival rates and females will produce more eggs.

It is important to reduce populations of the spotted lanternfly, which now attacks commercial grapevines, crops, and trees. This time of year, female lanternflies lay egg masses on tree bark. Scraping off these egg masses is helpful in destroying the next generation.

The use of insecticides for control is counter-productive. A study by Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences showed that native insects like the spined soldier bug do consume lanternflies, suggesting that natural predators could help control them. By conserving and encouraging populations of beneficial insects, we may be able to reduce the use of chemical controls. While these insects may keep the lanternfly in check someday, researchers caution their impact will be limited by the use of insecticides that also kill beneficial insects.

A related study by Penn State’s Journal of Chemical Ecology revealed that several species of birds studied were less likely to eat lanternflies that had fed on TOH, suggesting that birds can detect the nasty chemicals stored in the lanternfly’s body. This questions the extent to which birds will be helpful in controlling lanternflies. And what of the lanternfly’s coloring? In nature, red and black colors are a warning of toxicity meant to deter predators.

Invasive burning bush: Fall foliage can be striking this time of year, but the red/pink color in the understory may not be so wonderful. You only have to peer into our woodlands this time of year to know that burning bush has escaped cultivation to create massive monocultures under woodland trees. So invasive, it has been banned or restricted in several states. Spread by bird-dispersed seeds and root sprouts, burning bush forms dense thickets, choking out native plants. But birds are not to blame. They eat these sugary nutrient-poor berries when native berries are in short supply. According to the Audubon Society, plants like winterberry, eastern red cedar, northern bayberry, arrowwood viburnum, dogwoods, and staghorn sumac are best for providing birds with essential nutrients they need — fats, protein, and amino acids fuel migration and help overwintering birds survive the cold winter months. These plants should be in every yard.