Chokecherry–or European Bird Cherry trees–are fragrant and beautiful in lawns, but they’re not a natural part of Alaska’s ecosystem. As a result, they’re harming native plants and animals around the state. The US Forest Service and the Alaska Division of Forestry are working together to provide funds to organizations that will remove these invasive plants.
Gino Graziano educates the public about invasive plants for the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension. He says when the tree was first brought to Alaska, it seemed like a great addition.
"It has pretty showy flowers grows really well in our yards and has the cherries that attract birds," he said.
But a few years later, people noticed the trees were sprouting up outside of lawns in Anchorage. Now, the plant has been spotted in the wild around the state. Chokecherries create shade that deprives nearby native plants of sunshine, which can kill them. The branches and fruit of the trees are poisonous for moose. A study shows chokecherries can reduce the number of insects available for salmon to eat. Graziano says to solve those problems, "the solution is really to start you know serving and removing them from natural areas as best as best we can."
Local organizations and governments can apply for funding to identify the trees, remove them, and encourage the public to remove the trees in their own yards. The Fairbanks soil and water conservation district has received grant funds for chokecherry removal in the past. Graziano says the public can also help fight the invasive species by volunteering to remove the trees at local events and removing the trees in their yards. Members of the public can report sightings of the trees on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Invasive Species Reporter website. Graziano says in Fairbanks, "it's still in a manageable state so just get on it now. And then you won't have those those later issues."
Grant funds could help remove the trees before they can do serious harm to the ecosystem. The deadline for grant applications is March 22. More information is available on the division of forestry website.