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History and Description
The autumn olive came here from China, Japan, and
Korea in 1830. This is a deciduous, bushy, leaf shrub. It can grow to about 20
feet tall. Its leaves are silvery-white scaly underneath, with red berries in
the fall. The twigs are slim and also slivery scaly beneath. Spur twigs are
common, with some side twigs, which become thorn-like at the end.
Uses
The autumn olive is used for wind breaking, and it is
also used for wildlife food. The turkeys are attracted to the autumn olive.
Reproduction
The reddish to pink fruit of the autumn olive tree are
produced in great abundance. The seeds are dispersed largely by birds and other
animals, such as raccoons, skunks, and opossums.
Ecological Threat
The autumn olive can live through droughts. It can
live in a variety of soils and reproduces rapidly. Even if it is cut down or
burned, the autumn olive re-sprouts quickly. Because of these characteristics,
it invades fields, woodlands, and other areas.
The autumn olive out-competes and
displaces native plants. It creates dense shade which causes problems for
plants that require lots of sun. The autumn olive has a special adaptation that
allows it to fix nitrogen in its roots. This allows it to grow in even
unfavorable soils.
Control
The most effective way to control the
autumn olive is to pull it up by hand when
it is just a small plant or seedling. If the
shrub gets
too big to pull out of the
ground by hand, it will take more than
cutting it
down or burning it.
Herbicides must be put on
the stump
following cutting or burning.
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