Remove Invasive Plants at Home with Escambia Extension's "Weed Wrangle"

Each February, UF/IFAS Escambia Extension participates in the Weed Wrangle, a national event inviting members of local communities to visit a public area to remove invasive plants. This year, Escambia Extension invites participants to hold a weed wrangle at home to remove invasive species of plants from their own backyard. This year's focus for the weed wrangle is the Chinese Tallow, also known as the "popcorn tree." Residents are also invited to remove any other invasive plants they may identify in their yards.

Participation in the Weed Wrangle is easy. The first step is to identify any Chinese Tallow you might have in your yard. If you're not sure of the plant's identity, contact the Escambia Extension office at 850-475-5230. Once you have identified the plant, report it to the national database EDDMapS at www.EDDMapS.org. Please note you are not allowed to report plants on someone else's property without their permission. After submitting your report, take a picture of the plant prior to removing it. Although the plant is known as an invasive species, removing the plant from your yard is optional. 

Email Rick O'Connor, Sea Grant Extension Agent for Escambia County, at roc1@ufl.edu with the steps you completed for a chance to win prizes for participation in this year's Weed Wrangle.

For questions about the Weed Wrangle, or for more information about invasive plant species, contact the Escambia Extension office at 850-475-5230. Follow Escambia Extension on Facebook for information on demonstrations, volunteer opportunities and more.


Photo: courtesy of Rick O'Connor