Hi all, Over the last few months folks have very kindly offered up their unwanted shrubs and perennials to their neighbors. That is exactly what I expect from the Highland Park community. Sadly, though there are some regularly sold plants out there; burning bush, miscanthus, barberry, wavy leaved basket grass, oriental bittersweet, porcelain berry, Norway maple to name a few that are damaging our urban woodlands and meadows. These plants grow so aggressively that they lower the biodiversity in our parks endangering the forests and their inhabitants over time. It is understandable that we all have these plants in our yards - how do we know what would be harmful and the nurseries sell them? However, since we all live so close to the park, it is helpful to carefully choose what is in our yards - birds, the wind, the deer are able to transport seeds pretty far distances, including into the park. There are a few resources out there that can assist in choosing the right native or non-invasive plant for your yards. First, Kathy McGregor of Sylvania Natives Plant Nursery, right here in Pittsburgh (Squirrel Hill) will help you with whatever flower, shrub or tree needs. www.sylvanianatives.org Also, here is a book and description of the 15 worst invaders in the city of Pittsburgh. http://www.pittsburghparks.org/invasiveplants Then, finally, here is some information about Miscanthus and Burning Bush specifically. http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=3052 http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=3023 Thanks and please feel free to email with any other questions that you have. Erin Erin Copeland Restoration Ecologist Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy 412.682.7275 office 412.512.9639 mobile ecopeland@pittsburghparks.org -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandparkpa.com] On Behalf Of Christy and Terry Valencheck Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 12:26 PM To: neighborhood@highlandparkpa.com Subject: [Highland Park] bushes There are four midsized burning bushes sitting by our carport between stanton and hays on portland WAY (not street). These are valuable bushes but our contractor needs them OUT to do the work we have asked him to do. Please come and take them if you want them. They are interesting at every season (leaves turn bright red in autumn, produce a few berries, etc) and we've been told by several landscapers that they are highly desirable for landscaping. Please enjoy them christy -- <http://lists.highlandparkpa.com/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>