Invasive species are non-native organisms whose introduction into an ecosystem where they don’t naturally occur causes, or has the potential to cause, economic, environmental, or human harm. Invasive species can come from other regions of the U.S. or from other parts of the world and often spread rapidly and become a problem in their new environment because they lack natural predators or other population controls. Plants, animals, microbes, and even their reproductive parts (like seeds, eggs, or spores), can be classified as invasive species.
Once established, invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems by:
Outcompeting native plant communities
Disrupting and altering habitats
Spreading disease
Causing economic damage
Threatening long-term forest health
While Kansas may not be widely recognized for vast woodlands, the state is home to over 5 million acres of forested land. These forests are a vital natural resource, supporting communities, waterways, agriculture, the economy, public health, recreation, and overall quality of life. Invasive plants pose a growing threat to this valuable resource. The spread of invasive species is accelerating, and the Kansas Forest Service recognizes the importance of protecting our trees and woodlands. Because human activity plays a role in how far and fast invasive species can move, raising awareness and taking preventative action is becoming increasingly critical.
Asian bush honeysuckles (Lonicera maackii, L. tatarica, and L. morrowii) are invasive, woody shrubs that aggressively spread and form dense stands in a wide range of environments. These adaptable shrubs are commonly found on disturbed sites, forest edges and interiors, floodplains, fields, pastures, and roadsides. While their presence is most concentrated in the eastern third of Kansas, significant infestations have been documented throughout the state.
Bush honeysuckle out-competes native plants for sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to a reduction in native plant diversity. This decline in plant variety negatively affects wildlife habitat, limiting food and shelter resources for native animals, and ultimately decreases the overall health and functionality of local ecosystems. Their dominance in both natural and semi-natural areas threatens biodiversity and alters the ecological balance that supports Kansas’s native landscapes.
The Kansas Forest Service supports and encourages the removal of Asian bush honeysuckle from both private and public lands. Contact the KFS State Office at (785) 532-3300 for more information on our backpack mist-blower loan program or other assistance opportunities.
Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) and its cultivars—such as ‘Bradford,’ ‘Cleveland Select,’ and ‘Aristocrat’—have been widely planted across Kansas for their adaptability, showy spring flowers, attractive fall color, and general resistance to pests. However, early cultivars like ‘Bradford’ were prone to storm damage and other structural issues, leading to the introduction of improved varieties.
Although individual cultivars like ‘Bradford’ can’t produce viable seed on their own, the widespread planting of multiple cultivars has enabled cross-pollination and seed production. Birds spread these seeds, and hybrid callery pear trees have now become established in various regions of Kansas including parts of the Flint Hills, southeastern woodlands, and interstate corridors near Kansas City, Wichita, and other urban areas. Some of the same traits that once made the tree appealing now make it a challenging invasive species that displaces native vegetation and disrupts ecosystems.
In addition to bush honeysuckle and Callery pear, Kansas forests are increasingly impacted by other aggressive invaders such as tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), saltcedar (Tamarixramosissima), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), among others. Protecting Kansas’s forests from these threats is essential to preserving their ecological and economic value for future generations. The Kansas Forest Service supports ongoing efforts to help with early detection and management of invasive species to help safeguard these vital landscapes for future generations.
