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Controlling Invasive Species
Volunteer for our monthly invasive plant removals!
Monthly invasive plant removals in City parks take place the third Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Gloves and trash bags are provided. Dress appropriately for yard-work; long sleeves, pants, and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Please check the City Calendar for the location. RSVP to environment@hyattsville.org to be alerted of weather-related cancellations.
Free invasive vine removal trainings!
Hyattsville has received a Stormwater Stewardship Grant to protect our tree canopy through the removal of invasive vines. Through a partnership with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) the City is training volunteers in safe invasive vine removal techniques they can use at home or to assist their neighbors. Learn more and sign up for a training!
Need vine removal assistance?
If you would like a team of trained volunteers to assist with vine removal from trees on your property, please contact environment@hyattsville.org.
Remove invasives at home!
Many invasive species can be hiding in plain site in your yard! Below are a few common invasives found in Hyattsville with recommendations on removal.
Download our Invasive Vine Identification Kit!
| Species | Characteristics & Removal | Photo |
| English Ivy | This decorative evergreen can be deadly to local trees! To remove ivy, cut the stems at the base of the tree and remove the roots from the ground. Pulling the vines off the tree can cause more harm to the tree, so it's best to leave them until they wither and fall on their own. Ivy should be discarded in the trash instead of compost to prevent re-rooting. Read the English Ivy Removal Guide | |
| Wintercreeper | This vine has thick, oval shaped, dark evergreen leaves that may be yellowish in color with a waxy coating. It can also have small, inconspicuous white flowers in clusters and orange berries in June and July. Cut back and remove the roots if possible. | |
| Porcelain Berry | This vine drapes over trees and engulfs them. It's identifiable by its three-pronged leaves with deep lobes and small round berries in shades of blue, purple, or white. It may have large, woody vines with smooth bark. Cut back and remove the roots if possible. | |
| Oriental Bittersweet | This vine has an aggressive twisting vine that tightens around trunks. It has alternating glossy and round leaves. The vine bark is light gray and can have a distinctive horizontal line. Clustered, red berries form along the stem in fall. Cut back and remove the roots if possible. | |
| Chinese Wisteria | This vine has compound leaves with 9 to 15 leaflets. Flowers are clustered, fragrant, and usually a shade of purple or white. Seed pods are long and bean-like, typically around 6 inches in length. Cut back and remove the roots if possible. | |
| Incised Fumewort | This invasive plant is on the rise in the city, spreading most commonly through resident's yards. It's identified by its bright pink/purple flowers and parsley shaped leaves. It spreads quickly by ejecting its seeds, overtaking native plants in yards and forested areas. The plant has shallow roots so removal is easy - just pull straight out of the ground and dispose in the trash to destroy the seeds. Read the iNaturalist Guide to Incised Fumewort | |
| Crape Myrtle Scale | Crape Myrtle trees are growing in popularity across the U.S., but unfortunately the large number of trees are attracting new threats. Crape Myrtle Scale Bark is an infection that develops from groups of small insects who slowly overtake the tree and expose it to severe conditions. You may notice small white insects on branches, particularly around pruning spots. Other signs include leaf drop and poor flower growth. Pesticide free removal options are available, though severe infestations may require pesticides. Find detailed guidance through the University of Maryland Extension program. | |
| Spotted Lanternfly | These winged insects feed off of tree sap and are an increasing threat to trees across the U.S., particularly fruit bearing trees and agricultural crops. Though they usually nest on or in tree bark, they have also been known to build their nests on fence posts. If you see it - squish it! Community members can help stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly by killing the insect and then reporting its sighting to the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Learn about controlling the Spotted Lanternfly or report a sighting to the MDA. |