Concerns about the removal of lilac bushes near the intersection of M-109 and M-209 in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore were expressed this week to the National Park Service.

Jeanine Dean of Glen Arbor met Tuesday with assistant Superintendent Tom Ulrich after she witnessed crews cutting the bushes. She learned that the plants, brought to Michigan by European immigrants, are not the target of an eradication effort.

“Lilacs are not being targeted. They’re non-native, but not considered invasive,” Ulrich said. “The lilacs were cut to allow crews to get to black locust trees and honeysuckle bushes that are highly invasive non-native species.”

Ulrich said black locust and honeysuckle, which spread prolifically and compete for the same resources as native species, are two of nearly 200 non-native species identified within the park. Not all are identified for removal, however.

“We only target the worst,” he said, giving examples of the plants that are targeted, including baby’s
breath, spotted hnapweed, garlic mustard, Canada thistle and leafy spurge. “There are many non-native plants in the Good Harbor and Port Oneida area which we try to maintain. “

Ulrich said that the department maintains a double row of black locust along the highway in Glen Haven that date back to the time of D.H.. Day.

“We want to maintain those — we just don’t want the ‘volunteers,’ which spread,” he said.

An estimated 250 acres of black locust trees have been identified in the park, which measures 72,000 acres.

Although Dean said she can accept the “compromise,” she remains wary.

“It’s their mandate, but I don’t have to agree with it,” Dean said. “If they do what they say they’re going to … I understand.”