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Expert Tree Care in the DC Metro Area | Call 703-573-3029 to talk to a Tree Care Expert.

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Invasive Plants Are Dangerous To The Environment: This is Why

Resources: Environmental Services

At RTEC, we consider plants to be our friends – that is, unless they cause harm to other plants and wildlife. While the specific damage is dependent on species, there is one thing that is the same for all: they leave a life-altering mark on the ecosystem and those native to it.


What is an Invasive Plant?

Invasive species are plants, animals, or other organisms that have been introduced, often accidentally, into a new environment. They invade the ecosystem, quickly spreading and thriving at the expense of native species.

Invasive plants can:

  • Outcompete and displace native species
  • Decrease ecosystem diversity
  • Degrade land conditions (soil, water, etc.)

Unfortunately, there is a range of invasive plants that you might come across in the Northern Virginia, DC Metro Area. To protect your plants, it may be worth looking into the various invasive species so you know which plants to avoid in the future.

**Tip: If you find a green plant this winter season that isn’t an evergreen, chances are that plant is invasive.

There are many invasive species that can be found in Virginia; here’s a list of a few:

  • Wisteria (Chinese, Japanese)
  • English ivy
  • Japanese/Chinese honeysuckle
  • Mile a minute weed
  • Kudzu
  • Ailanthus
  • Norway maple
  • Phragmites
  • Viburnum 
  • Multi flora rose

Invasive Species Recently Found in Northern Virginia

Below are two invasive plants our tree experts have recently identified in our area.

wisteria invasive plant species found in northern virginia dc metro area by an RTEC Certified Arborist tree expert
Invasive wisteria vine strangling a local oak tree, found by one of our Certified Arborists

1. Wisteria

Wisterias carry objectively beautiful lilac or bluish flowers in spring and summer. Because of their beauty, they’re often used as decorative ornamentals. There are a few different species of wisteria; depending on where you live, which species you choose can determine the livelihood of your landscape.  

Unfortunately, Virginia happens to be one of the states in which certain species of wisteria vines are not native: Chinese and Japanese wisteria.

In Virginia, Chinese and Japanese wisteria vines:

  • Cause “death by gridling” (strangling of native plants)
  • Interrupt natural plant development
  • Create canopy gaps which allows the invasive plant to thrive and continue harming native species

English ivy invasive plant species found in Northern Virginia DC Metro area by an RTEC Certified Arborist tree expert
English ivy is an invasive vine species that has been spotted by one of our Certified Arborists

2. English Ivy

English ivies are evergreen vines that feature dark green, waxy leaves. They are known as ground covers and for covering structures like fences and walls. They can sprawl their way into every nook and cranny they encounter. If they’re in areas they aren’t native to, they can threaten all vegetation levels.  

An invasive species in Virginia, English ivy vines are known to:

  • Cover trees and block sunlight from reaching them
  • Restrict tree growth
  • Break branches and cause trees to fall (due in part to weather stressors)
  • Grow tree fungus, which can result in eventual tree damage or tree death
  • Facilitate development of bacterial leaf scorch (a harmful pathogen!)

How You Can Avoid Spreading Invasive Plant Species

Invasive plants can be extremely hard to remove from landscapes. The best way you can avoid spreading invasive species is by taking proactive steps early on.

Avoid introducing potentially invasive species to your hometown. When visiting a new, distant area, don’t make the mistake of transporting a plant from that area, no matter how beautiful or one-of-a-kind it is. Bringing it home can wreck havoc on the plants you already have.

Choose to add native plants to your landscape. Do your research when adding a plant to your home. Not only are native plants safe, they help their surrounding environment – and they’re easier for you to manage!

If you find an invasive species in your area, report it! By simply reporting a sighting, you can save plants & wildlife near you.


Efficiently controlling invasive species requires an environmental expert. Our Certified Arborists are here to help.

Call us today at 703.573.3029 or reserve an appointment online to save your landscape.

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OR Call 703.573.3029

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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