The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) is hosting an Autumn Olive Community Workshop to educate interested members of the public on proper identification of the invasive shrub and to demonstrate best management practices, both mechanical and chemical.
Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and its less common relative, Russian olive ( E. angustifolia), were originally introduced and encouraged more than 50 years ago as a tool for erosion control and habitat establishment. Unfortunately, the deciduous shrub quickly took over the Midwest. With each plant having the potential to carry more than 200,000 seeds and grow up to 20 feet tall, autumn olive easily crowds out many native species that require a lot of sunlight, such as tree seedlings that would otherwise establish new forestland. Additionally, autumn olive can change the soil it grows in and doesn’t support the diversity of insects necessary to support the ecosystem.
Luckily, with some effort and the correct knowledge, autumn olive can be managed with chemicals or using mechanical methods.
Audrey Menninga of ISN, with a representative from the NRCS, will review autumn olive at all life stages, provide handson demonstrations of control and restoration methods, and discuss landowner assistance programs.
Landowners and land managers alike are encouraged to attend this free workshop being held at the Boardman River Nature Center on Tuesday, August 27, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. For more information and to register, please visit www. HabitatMatters.org. You may also register by contacting ISN Director, Audrey Menninga: [email protected] | (231)252-4148
