(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Morton Arboretum said invasive trees and plants are wreaking havoc on ecosystems and yards in Illinois, and now, the organization is calling for help to eradicate them.
Tree experts said buckthorn, honeysuckle and black locusts are the most common invasives found in the Chicago area.
Morton Arboretum said it can be a costly, time-consuming process to remove and manage the invasive, woody plants. So, the arboretum is opening up volunteer opportunities for invasive plant removal this spring and summer.
In a press release, the arboretum said its 2020 Chicago Region Tree Census revealed that more than 45% of the Chicago area’s trees are invasive.
“The spread aggressively, dramatically impacting our native habitats — in particular, our oak ecosystems,” said Lydia Scott, the director of the Chicago Region Trees Initiative.
Applications for the volunteer program can be filed here.
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