Tree Board Meeting

Lake Park Tree Board Nuisance and Invasive Species Update Brady Drew Overview Review and Propose Updates to Town Ordinances: ● Nuisance Trees (CAN be removed without a permit): ○ Subpart A, Section 34-9 ● Invasive Trees, Shrubs, and Vines (SHALL be removed): ○ Subpart B, Section 78-253(f) 2 Methodology Town Ordinances Compared to 2019 Florida Invasive Species Council Classifications The Florida Invasive Species Council is a 501(c)3 organization formed to reduce the impacts of invasive plants in Florida through the exchange of scientific, educational, and technical information. Committee meets every two years to maintain a list of invasive plants classified as Category I or Category II: ● FISC Category I: Altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. ○ Propose aligning list of Invasive Trees (SHALL be removed) – Subpart B, Section 78-253(f) ● FISC Category II : Species have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become Category I if ecological damage is demonstrated. ○ Propose aligning list of Nuisance Trees (CAN be removed) – Subpart A, Section 34-9 3 Current Nuisance Trees – Subpart A, Section 34-9 Species Common Name Disposition Acacia auriculiformis Earleaf Acacia No change Albizzia lebbeck Woman's Tongue No change Araucaria heterophylla Norfolk Island Pine No change Bambusa Vulgaris Tree Bamboo No change Bischofia javanica Bischofia No change Brassaia actinophylla / Schefflera actinophylla Schefflera Update species to include Schefflera actinophylla Casuarina spp Australian Pine No change Cupaniopsis anacardiodes Carrotwood No change Enterolobium cyclocarpum Ear Tree No change Eucalyptus spp Eucalyptus No change Ficus spp Ficus No change Grevillea robusta Silk Oak No change Hibiscus tiliaceus / Talipariti tiliaceum Mahoe Update species to include Talipariti tiliaceum Melaleuca quinquenervia Melaleuca No change Metopium toxiferum Poison Wood No change Psidium quajava/littorale/cattleianum Guava Add cattleianum species Ricinus communis Castorbean No change Sapium sebiferum / Triadica sebifera Chinese Tallow Tree Update species to include Triadica sebifera Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian Pepper No change Syzygium cumini Java Plum No change Thespesia populnea Portia Tree No change 4 Proposed New Nuisance Trees – Subpart A, Section 34-9 Species Common Name Rationale Melia azedarach China Berry Already included in 78-253 as an invasive Dalbergia sissoo Indian Rosewood Already included in 78-253 as an invasive Adenanthera pavonina red sandalwood Category II Invasive Alstonia macrophylla devil tree Category II Invasive Bruguiera gymnorrhiza large-leafed mangrove Category II Invasive Casuarina cunninghamiana river sheoak Category II Invasive Cecropia palmata trumpet tree Category II Invasive Chamaedorea seifrizii bamboo palm Category II Invasive Cocos nucifera coconut palm Category II Invasive Dalbergia sissoo Indian rosewood, sissoo Category II Invasive Koelreuteria elegans subsp. formosana flamegold tree Category II Invasive Leucaena leucocephala leadtree Category II Invasive Livistona chinensis Chinese fan palm Category II Invasive Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm Category II Invasive Pittosporum pentandrum Taiwanese cheesewood Category II Invasive Ptychosperma elegans solitary palm Category II Invasive Syagrus romanzoffiana queen palm Category II Invasive Syzygium jambos Malabar plum, rose-apple Category II Invasive Terminalia catappa tropical-almond Category II Invasive Terminalia muelleri Australian–almond Category II Invasive Vernicia fordii tung-oil tree Category II Invasive Vitex trifolia simple-leaf chastetree Category II Invasive 5 Washingtonia robusta Washington fan palm Category II Invasive Current Invasives – Subpart B, Section 78-253(f) Species Common Name Type Disposition Acacia auriculiformis Earleaf acacia Tree No change Albizia lebbeck Woman's tongue Tree No change Bischofia javanica Bischofia; Bishop-wood; Toog Tree No change Casuarina spp. Australian pine Tree No change Eucalyptus Eucalyptus Robusta Tree Remove; Not native, but not considered invasive Ficus altissima/bengalensis microcarpa Lofty Fig, Banyan Laurel Fig Tree Update to the microcarpa / laurel fig species, and remove altissima/bengalensis Hibiscus tiliaceus / Talipariti tiliaceum Mahoe Tree Update species to include Talipariti tiliaceum Melaleuca quinquenervia Melaleuca; cajeput Tree No change Metropium toxifera Poisonwood Tree Remove; Native, but can be harmful to humans if touched Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper Tree No change Syzygium cuminii Java plum Tree No change Thespesia populnea Cork tree Portia Tree Tree Update common name to Portia Tree to align with 34-9 Ardisia solonacea/elliptica Shoebutton ardisia Shrub Add elliptica species Colubrina asiatica Leather leaf Vine No change Dioscorea bulbifera/alata Air potato Vine Add alata species Jasminum dichotomum fluminense Brazilian Jasmine Shrub Update species to fluminense / Brazilian Jasmine Jatropha hastata Physic Nut Tree Remove; Not native, but not considered invasive Lygodium microphyllum Small-leafed climbing fern Vine No change Platanus occidentalis American Sycamore Tree Remove; Not native, but not considered invasive Melia azedarach China Berry Tree Remove; Not native, but not considered invasive Mimosa pigra Mimosa; Cat's claw Shrub No change Rhodomyrtus tomentosus Downy rose myrtle Shrub No change 6 Rosewood spp. sissoo Indian Rosewood (all species) Tree Update species to Dalbergia sissoo (Indian Rosewood) Proposed New Invasives – Subpart B, Section 78-253(f) Species Common Name Type Rationale Abrus precatorius rosary pea Vine Category I Invasive Asparagus aethiopicus asparagus fern Groundcover Category I Invasive Bauhinia variegata orchid tree Tree* Category I Invasive Calophyllum antillanum Santa Maria Tree* Category I Invasive Cinnamomum camphora camphor-tree Tree* Category I Invasive Colocasia esculenta wild taro Shrub Category I Invasive Dolichandra unguis-cati (Macfadyena unguis-cati) cat's-claw vine Vine Category I Invasive Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry Shrub Category I Invasive Lantana strigocamara lantana, shrub verbena Shrub Category I Invasive Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet Shrub Category I Invasive Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Shrub Category I Invasive Manilkara zapota sapodilla Tree* Category I Invasive Microsorum grossum serpent fern, wart fern Groundcover Category I Invasive Nephrolepis cordifolia sword fern Groundcover Category I Invasive Psidium cattleianum stawberry guava Tree* Category I Invasive Pueraria montana var. lobata kudzu Vine Category I Invasive Ruellia simplex Mexican petunia Groundcover Category I Invasive Scaevola taccada beach naupaka, half-flower Shrub Category I Invasive Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine Vine Category I Invasive Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant Groundcover Category I Invasive Urena lobata Caesar's weed Shrub Category I Invasive *Invasive trees should be added to 34-9 as well 7  1. Provide a fact sheet for each of the new additions Going Forward ○ Show why each is damaging to the environment 2. Should changes be recommended to Subpart B, Section Discussion / Future Plans 78-253(f)? ○ Should any removal of any plants be a shall? ○ If so, the list should be updated, but adding 21 species to this list may be burdensome for residents and businesses that have these plants 3. Propose updates to Preferred Trees and Shrubs List in Subpart B, Chapter 78, Appendix A, Article 1, Section 4-7 8 Thanks! Brady Drew bradypdrew@gmail.com Lake Park Tree Board https://www.lakeparkflorida.gov/ 9  FLEPPC List Definitions: The 2019 list was prepared by Florida Exotic Pest Plant the FLEPPC Plant List Committee Exotic—a species introduced to Florida, purpose- Tony Pernas, Co-Chair, 2017-2019, National Park Service, Council’s 2019 List of fully or accidentally, from a natural range outside Big Cypress National Preserve, tony_pernas@nps.gov of Florida. Native—a species whose natural range Invasive Plant Species includes Florida. Naturalized exotic—an exotic Dennis Giardina, Co-Chair, 2017-2019, Florida Fish and Wild- life Conservation Commission, dennis.giardina@myfwc.com The mission of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council is to that sustains itself outside cultivation (it is still reduce the impacts of invasive plants in Florida through exotic; it has not “become” native). Janice Duquesnel, Florida Park Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, janice.duquesnel@dep.state.fl.us the exchange of scientific, educational, and technical Invasive exotic— an exotic that has not only information. Alan Franck, Florida International University, Department naturalized, but is expanding on its own in Florida of Biological Sciences, afranck@fiu.edu Note: The FLEPPC List of Invasive Plant Species is not a native plant communities. regulatory list. Only those plants listed as Federal Noxious Roger L. Hammer, Retired Naturalist and Author, Weeds, Florida Noxious Weeds, Florida Prohibited Aquatic Zone: N = north, C = central, S = south, kaskazi44@comcast.net Plants, or in local ordinances are regulated by law. Referring to each species’ general distribution in John Kunzer, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation regions of Florida (not its potential range in the Commission, john.kunzer@myfwc.com Purpose of the List state). Please refer to the map below. James Lange, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, To provide a list of plants determined by the Florida Exotic jlange@fairchildgarden.org Pest Plant Council to be invasive in natural areas of Florida Kenneth Langeland, Professor Emeritus, University of and routinely update the list based upon information of newly identified occurrences and changes in distribution For more information on Florida/IFAS, Agronomy Department, gator8@ufl.edu over time. Also, to focus attention on: Deah Lieurance, University of Florida/IFAS, Agronomy invasive exotic plants north Department, dmlieurance@ufl.edu • The adverse effects exotic pest plants have on Florida’s Chris Lockhart, Habitats Specialists Inc., chris@lockharts.org biodiversity and native plant communities, including links to related Jean McCollom, Natural Ecosystems, jeanm@naples.net • The habitat losses in natural areas from exotic pest central plant infestations, web pages, visit: Gil Nelson, Professor Emeritus, Florida State University/ iDigBio, gilnelson@bio.fsu.edu • The impacts on endangered species via habitat loss Jennifer Possley, Fairchild Topical Botanic Garden, and alteration, www.fleppc.org south jpossley@fairchildgarden.org • The need for pest plant management, Jimi L. Sadle, National Park Service, Everglades National Park, jimi_sadle@nps.gov • The socio-economic impacts of these plants Dexter Sowell, Florida State University, FNAI, (e.g., increased wildfires or flooding in certain areas), dsowell@fnai.fsu.edu • Changes in the severity of different pest plant Jessica Spencer, US Army Corps of Engineers, infestations over time, Citation example: jessica.e.spencer@usace.army.mil • Providing information to help managers set priorities FLEPPC. 2019 List of Invasive Plant Species. Arthur Stiles, Florida Park Service, arthur.stiles@dep.state.fl.us for research and control programs. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Internet: www.fleppc.org Richard P. Wunderlin, Professor Emeritus, University of South Florida, rwunder@usf.edu www.fleppc.org  CATEGORY I CATEGORY II Invasive exotics that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range extent shown by Category 1 species. These species may become Category 1 if ecological damage is demonstrated. of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused. Scientific Name Common Name Zone Scientific Name Common Name Zone Scientific Name Common Name Zone Scientific Name Common Name Zone Abrus precatorius rosary pea C, S Melinis repens Natalgrass C, S Adenanthera pavonina red sandalwood S Koelreuteria elegans subsp. flamegold tree C, S Acacia auriculiformis earleaf acacia C, S Microsorum grossum4 serpent fern, wart fern S Agave sisalana sisal hemp C, S formosana Albizia julibrissin mimosa, silk tree N, C Microstegium vimineum Japanese stiltgrass N Alstonia macrophylla devil tree S Landoltia punctata spotted duckweed N, C, S Albizia lebbeck woman's tongue C, S Mimosa pigra catclaw mimosa C, S Alternanthera philoxeroides alligatorweed N, C, S Leucaena leucocephala leadtree N, C, S Ardisia crenata coral ardisia N, C, S Nandina domestica heavenly bamboo, nandina N, C Antigonon leptopus coral vine N, C, S Limnophila sessiliflora Asian marshweed N,C, S Ardisia elliptica shoebutton ardisia C, S Nephrolepis brownii Asian sword fern C, S Ardisia japonica Japanese ardisia N Livistona chinensis Chinese fan palm C, S Asparagus aethiopicus asparagus fern N, C, S Nephrolepis cordifolia sword fern N, C, S Aristolochia elegans calico flower N, C, S Macroptilium lathyroides wild bushbean N, C, S Bauhinia variegata orchid tree C, S Neyraudia reynaudiana Burma reed S (Aristolochia littoralis) Melaleuca viminalis bottlebrush C, S Bischofia javanica bishopwood C, S Nymphoides cristata crested floatingheart C, S Asystasia gangetica Ganges primrose C, S (Callistemon viminalis) Calophyllum antillanum Santa Maria S Paederia cruddasiana sewer vine S Begonia cucullata wax begonia N, C, S Melia azedarach Chinaberry N, C, S Casuarina equisetifolia Australian-pine N, C, S Paederia foetida skunk vine N, C, S Broussonetia papyrifera paper mulberry N, C, S Melinis minutiflora molasses grass C S Casuarina glauca suckering Australian-pine C, S Panicum repens torpedograss N, C, S Bruguiera gymnorrhiza large-leafed mangrove S Mikania micrantha mile-a-minute vine S Cenchrus purpureus elephantgrass, Napier grass N, C, S Pistia stratiotes water-lettuce N, C, S Callisia fragrans Inch plant C, S Momordica charantia balsam-apple N, C, S (Pennisetum purpureum) Psidium cattleianum stawberry guava C, S Casuarina cunninghamiana river sheoak C, S Murraya paniculata orange-jessamine S Cinnamomum camphora camphor-tree N, C, S Psidium guajava guava C, S Cecropia palmata trumpet tree S Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian water-milfoil N, C, S Colocasia esculenta wild taro N, C, S Pueraria montana var. lobata kudzu N, C, S Cenchrus polystachios mission grass S Passiflora biflora twin-flowered passion vine S Colubrina asiatica latherleaf S Rhodomyrtus tomentosa downy rose-myrtle C, S (Pennisetum polystachios) Phoenix reclinata Senegal date palm C, S Cupaniopsis anacardioides carrotwood C, S Ruellia simplex Mexican petunia N, C, S Cenchrus setaceus fountain grass S Phyllostachys aurea golden bamboo N, C Deparia petersenii Japanese false spleenwort N, C Salvinia minima water spangles N, C, S (Pennisetum setaceum) Pittosporum pentandrum Taiwanese cheesewood S Dioscorea alata winged yam N, C, S Scaevola taccada beach naupaka, half-flower N, C, S Cestrum diurnum day jessamine C, S Platycerium bifurcatum staghorn fern S Dioscorea bulbifera air potato N, C, S Schefflera actinophylla schefflera, umbrella tree C, S Chamaedorea seifrizii bamboo palm S Praxelis clematidea praxelis C Dolichandra unguis-cati cat's-claw vine N, C, S Schinus terebinthifolia Brazilian pepper N, C, S Clematis terniflora Japanese clematis N, C Pteris vittata Chinese brake, ladder brake N, C, S (Macfadyena unguis-cati) Scleria lacustris Wright's nutrush C, S Cocos nucifera coconut palm S Ptychosperma elegans solitary palm S Eichhornia crassipes water-hyacinth N, C, S Scleria microcarpa* tropical nutrush C, S Crassocephalum crepidioides redflower ragleaf C, S Richardia grandiflora largeflower Mexican clover N, C, S Eugenia uniflora Surinam cherry C, S Senna pendula var. glabrata Christmas senna, climbing cassia C, S Cryptostegia madagascariensis Madagascar rubbervine C, S Ricinus communis castorbean N, C, S Ficus microcarpa1 laurel fig C, S Solanum tampicense wetland night shade C, S Cyperus involucratus umbrella plant C, S Rotala rotundifolia dwarf rotala, roundleaf toothcup S Hydrilla verticillata hydrilla N, C, S Solanum viarum tropical soda apple N, C, S Cyperus prolifer dwarf papyrus C, S Ruellia blechum green shrimp plant N, C, S Hygrophila polysperma green hygro N, C, S Sporobolus jacquemontii West Indian dropseed C, S Dactyloctenium aegyptium Durban crow's-foot grass C, S Sesbania punicea rattlebox N, C, S Hymenachne amplexicaulis West Indian marsh grass N, C, S Syngonium podophyllum arrowhead vine N, C, S Dalbergia sissoo Indian rosewood, sissoo C, S Sida planicaulis mata-pasto C, S Imperata cylindrica cogongrass N, C, S Syzygium cumini Java plum C, S Dalechampia scandens* spurge-creeper S Solanum diphyllum twinleaf nightshade N, C, S Ipomoea aquatica water-spinach C Tectaria incisa incised halberd fern S Distimake tuberosus Spanish arbor vine, wood-rose C, S Solanum torvum turkey berry N, C, S Jasminum dichotomum Gold Coast jasmine C, S Thelypteris opulenta jeweled maidenhair fern S (Merremia tuberosa) Spermacoce verticillata3 shrubby false buttonweed C, S Jasminum fluminense Brazilian Jasmine C, S Thespesia populnea seaside mahoe C, S Dracaena hyacinthoides bowstring hemp C, S Sphagneticola trilobata wedelia N, C, S Lantana strigocamara2 lantana, shrub verbena N, C, S Tradescantia fluminensis small-leaf spiderwort N, C (Sansevieria hyacinthoides) Stachytarpheta cayennensis nettle-leaf porterweed S Ligustrum lucidum glossy privet N, C Tradescantia spathacea oyster plant C, S Elaeagnus pungens silverthorn, thorny olive N, C Syagrus romanzoffiana queen palm C, S Ligustrum sinense Chinese privet N, C, S Triadica sebifera Chinese tallow-tree N, C, S Elaeagnus umbellata autumn olive, silverberry N Syzygium jambos Malabar plum, rose-apple N, C, S Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle N, C, S (Sapium sebiferum) Epipremnum pinnatum cv. pothos C, S Talipariti tiliaceum mahoe, sea hibiscus C, S Ludwigia peruviana Peruvian primrosewillow N, C, S Urena lobata Caesar's weed N, C, S ‘Aureum’ Terminalia catappa tropical-almond C, S Lumnitzera racemosa black mangrove S Urochloa mutica paragrass N, C, S Eulophia graminea Chinese crown orchid C, S Terminalia muelleri Australian–almond C, S Luziola subintegra Tropical American watergrass S Vitex rotundifolia beach vitex N Ficus altissima council tree, false banyan S Tribulus cistoides puncture vine, burr-nut N, C, S Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern N, C, S Flacourtia indica governor's plum S Urochloa maxima Guineagrass N, C, S Lygodium microphyllum Old World climbing fern N, C, S Hemarthria altissima limpograss C, S (Panicum maximum) Manilkara zapota sapodilla S Heteropterys brachtiata redwing S Vernicia fordii tung-oil tree N, C, S Melaleuca quinquenervia melaleuca, paper bark C, S Hyparrhenia rufa jaragua N, C, S Vitex trifolia simple-leaf chastetree C, S Ipomoea carnea subsp fistulosa shrub morning-glory C, S Washingtonia robusta Washington fan palm C, S 1 Does not include Ficus microcarpa var. fuyuensis, which is sold as “green island ficus”. N, C, S N, C Kalanchoe x houghtonii mother of millions Wisteria sinensis Chinese wisteria 2 Historically this non-native has been referred to as Lantana camara, a species not known to occur in Florida. Kalanchoe pinnata life plant C, S Xanthosoma sagittifolium malanga, elephant ear N, C, S 3 Does not include the native endemic Spermacoce neoterminalis. 4 Microsorum grossum has been previously misidentified as Microsorum scolopendria. * Added to the FLEPPC List of Invasive Species in 2019. Plant names are those published in the Atlas of Florida Plants (http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu). For historical species nomenclature see “Guide to Vascular Plants of Florida Third Edition.” Wunderlin and Hansen, University of Florida Press. 2011. Proper Uses of FLEPPC’s List of Invasive Species Ken Langeland tion and has always been published step to identify species, with additional along with each subsequent printing information then included in making Chair, FLEPPC any final decision. FLEPPC members and update. In general, the stated 7922 NW 71st Street, purpose is to focus attention on the should assist local staff in determining Gainesville, FL 32653 problems associated with invasive those species from the FLEPPC List that kal@mail.ifas.ufl.edu plant species, inform resource manag- are invasive within the jurisdiction of ers about which species need to be the particular ordinance or in nearby Introduction monitored, and to help managers set natural areas, and species that are Floridians’ awareness of problems priorities for management. Although potentially invasive in that geographic caused by invasive plant species is rap- certain plants on the FLEPPC List are region. The FLEPPC occurrence data- idly increasing as a result of public edu- regulated by local, state, or federal base is a good source of information cation efforts by the Florida Exotic Pest statute, it is not intended that all spe- to determine geographic range and Plant Council (FLEPPC) and others. We cies on the List should be prohibited occurrence. A second useful source is must now accept the responsibility to everywhere in Florida. Certainly, spe- the University of South Florida’s online ensure that information pertaining to cies on the FLEPPC List may be worth Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. invasive plant species is factual and considering for inclusion in a local Local growers and landscapers, correctly interpreted, and to maintain ordinance, but additional information as members of a potentially affected constructive relationships with others should always be gathered during the constituency, should be involved in who may be affected, such as the horti- decision-making process for a particular determining what plant species are culture industry. city or county. listed in local ordinances. While prohib- County and City Commissions are iting invasive plant species from land- increasingly asked to help protect natu- Prohibited Plant Lists scapes to limit the source of propagules ral areas from invasive plant species Prohibiting species from sale or is one method of protecting natural by adopting into ordinance the entire use can cause economic hardship and areas, the economic impact of prohibit- “Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s List changes of well-established cultural ing a commercially important species of Invasive Species” (FLEPPC List) practices. Before prohibiting species and the cultural impact of eliminating a or certain species because they are from sale or use, it is imperative that popular landscape species is of concern on the list. These measures may take adequate information exists on the to growers and landscapers. These the form of exemptions to tree cutting degree of invasiveness, the local threat groups understandably will raise oppo- ordinances, plant species prohibited to the environment, and the economic sition to prohibiting these economically from inclusion in landscaping plans, and cultural impacts. Species are placed or culturally important species. It is or mandatory removal of certain spe- on the FLEPPC List after being nomi- important for land managers to work cies. FLEPPC is often asked to provide nated and voted upon by the FLEPPC together with local staff, growers and support in the form of letters or expert List Committee because they have been landscapers to find compromises to witness when adoption of such mea- observed to be invasive in natural areas present to their lawmaking bodies as a sures is being considered. The purpose of the state, particularly in parks and unified voice. When agreement cannot and appropriate uses of the FLEPPC preserves. The statement, “ . . . does not be reached, it is then up to the lawmak- List in tree and landscape ordinances rely on economic severity or geographic ing body to decide what compromises are discussed in this article. range of the problem,” means that an to make based on economic and envi- invasive species does not have to be ronmental considerations. extremely costly to control or occur Since its first public availability, the History and Purpose of the FLEPPC List has caused concern within in all regions before it is listed. Also, FLEPPC List the horticulture industry because some the FLEPPC List does not address the FLEPPC’s early focus was on orga- species that occur on the list are also economic importance of a species to nizing to manage melaleuca, but efforts important in the trade. The FLEPPC/ the horticulture trade. Species to be soon evolved into a broader focus on FNGA Liaison Committee has made addressed in local regulation should all invasive exotic plant species in the great strides in working with the nurs- be considered on the basis of locally state. The FLEPPC List Committee ery industry to discourage sales of developed criteria, such as the species’ was established to bring plant experts certain plant species on the FLEPPC local occurrence, severity, or potential to together to list and prioritize all of the List, including ones that are still sold spread further, plus the local economic state’s invasive plant species. The first commercially but are not considered and cultural impacts. list was made public in 1991 and has important in the trade. These plants, When asked to assist with identify- been refined and revised every two hopefully, can be easily agreed upon at ing plant species to be prohibited by years as more information has been col- the local level as plants to be pro- local ordinance, FLEPPC encourages lected. The purpose of the FLEPPC List hibited. Additional species could be the use of the FLEPPC List as a first has been clearly stated since its publica- agreed upon based on discussions 16 SUMMER 2002 between natural resource managers cutting ordinances that require property prioritization and implementation of and growers/landscapers at the local owners to obtain permits before remov- management efforts by natural resource level. ing trees of certain size. If invasive managers, in environmental education exotic tree species are included, the programs, and in voluntary removal Mandatory Removal ongoing efforts to encourage property programs. When species are to be pro- Ordinances that require mandatory owners to remove invasive plants from hibited in some capacity, or removal is removal of invasive species will invoke their property may be deterred. FLEPPC to be required by law, FLEPPC encour- economic and, possibly, cultural hard- encourages local governments to elimi- ages the use of its invasive species list ships on citizens. Therefore, (as in the nate such impediments by exempting case of prohibiting invasive species exotic pest plants from tree-cutting considered. FLEPPC does not promote from landscape plans) FLEPPC should permit requirements. Because tree regulating species for the sole reason encourage the use of the FLEPPC List as removal in this case is a voluntary that they occur on the list. FLEPPC will action and will not impose hardship on continue to work with the horticulture additional information beyond that anyone, the entire FLEPPC List could and other industries to develop recom- needed for a species to be placed on the be exempted from any tree-cutting mendations that discourage the sale and FLEPPC List is necessary for requiring permit ordinance. Even if species listed use of invasive species on the FLEPPC mandatory removal of invasive spe- List. FLEPPC also will continue to cies. Certain invasive species are very of Florida, these ordinances simply develop and disseminate information expensive to control; for others, meth- provide property owners with greater pertaining to these invasive species. ods may not be available that give FLEPPC will encourage additions to consistent results. FLEPPC can assist the Florida Noxious Weed List and local governments by providing infor- FLEPPC Policy on Use of the Prohibited Aquatic Plant List for mation on severity of invasiveness, its Invasive Species List in certain invasive plant species that are distribution, and the most cost effec- Ordinance clearly threatening Florida’s natural tive control methods for species being While great care has been taken to communities and native species, incur- considered for mandatory removal. formulate the FLEPPC list, care also must be given to how it is interpreted losses to the citizens of Florida. Exemption from Tree Removal and used. FLEPPC encourages the Many local governments have tree- use of the Invasive Species List for WILDLAND WEEDS 17