Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants in Ohio Forests: Ailanthus

This is yet another activity to add to your fall management and clean up activities: work on eliminating those tree-of-heaven infestations.  To understand your options, we have a great resource available here: Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants in Ohio Forests: Ailanthus

Ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima), also known as tree-of-heaven, is a moderate sized (60 to 80 feet in height), deciduous tree first introduced into the United States from Asia in the late 1700s for use as an urban landscape tree and in strip mine reclamation in the Eastern United States. In many ways ailanthus is an ideal invasive—it grows rapidly (sprouts can attain a height of 6 to 12 feet the first year and grow 3 feet or more per year), is a prolific seeder, a persistent stump and root sprouter, and an aggressive competitor that thrives in full sunlight. It also produces an allelopathic compound that suppresses the growth of many native woody and herbaceous species. It will grow in relatively infertile, shallow soils of varying pH, and is highly tolerant of poor air quality.

Fall Weed Control

The best time of year to manage biennial and perennial weeds is in the fall.  Hemp dogbane, ailanthus, poison hemlock are just the tip of the iceberg on the list of weeds effectively controlled now.  If you need a refresher, or need to dive in to start learning, here are some resources to get you started in the right direction:

Plants of Concern to Livestock in Summer | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter  

Biennial and Perennial Weed Control is Best in the Fall | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Get After the Weeds Yet This Fall | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Pasture and Forage Weed Control; Mow or Spray? | Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter 

Scout now for cressleaf groundsel in hayfields, or pay the price in May | Agronomic Crops Network

2020 Ohio Weed Control Guide (PDF)

2020 Ohio Weed Control Guide (Bound Book)

 

Useful books for the vegetable grower and tree ID

Announcement from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences February 2016 Newsletter:

OSU Extension has released new or back-in-print editions of two popular bulletins. Both are available on the CFAES Publications eStore, estore.osu-extension.org, or by clicking the links below.

2016 Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers

This annual guide is a summary of currently suggested vegetable varieties, seeding rates, fertilizer rates, and weed control, insect control and disease control measures for commercial growers. 212 pp., $10. Details.

Leaf Identification Key to Eighty-Eight Ohio Trees

This guide is a valuable tool for novice students, woodland owners and birdwatchers for identifying 88 of Ohio’s tree species. Diagrams and examples of leaf arrangements, a glossary of terms and steps to utilizing this key are included to get the reader started in the right direction. 25 pp., $7.50. Details.