Chances are very good that along with your favorite flowers and shrubs, there are non-native invasives on your property. Non-native invasives are aggressive exotic plants introduced intentionally for their ornamental value, or accidentally by hitchhiking with people or products. They thrive in our growing conditions, and with no natural enemies have nothing to check their rapid spread.

The environmental costs of invasives are great – they crowd out native vegetation and reduce biological diversity, can change how entire ecosystems function, and pose a threat to endangered species. Ten invasive species that are common in Tolland are: Burning Bush, Japanese Barberry, Multiflora Rose, Autumn Olive, Tree of Heaven, Oriental Bittersweet, Japanese Knotweed, Purple Loosestrife, Garlic Mustard, and Common Reed.