A Handbook for Forest Vegetation Management in Recreation and Historic Parks

Authors: Amy C. Helms, former Graduate Research Assistant and James E. Johnson, Extension Forester, College of Forestry and Wildlife Resources

Publication Number 420-143, October 1996

Biology of several woody exotic species common to the mid-Atlantic states.(Sources: Burns and Honkala 1990, Flint 1983, Whitcomb 1983)

Habitat: native of China; grows best in loamy, moist soils but tolerates a wide range of textures, stoniness, and pH; intolerant of shade
Life History: blooms in mid-April to July; samaras persist on female tree through the winter bears seeds prolifically; due to shade intolerance, reproduction in natural stands is sparse except by sprouting; roots and stumps sprout prolifically when main stem is injured or killed; 56-88 ft at maturity; first year growth of sprouts rapid (10-13 ft); deciduous; few insect pests or disease problems

Habitat: native from the Near East to central China; very tolerant of hot, dry summers; full sun
Life History: blooms from June to August; flowers pink or red; fruit large strap-shaped pod, 5-6 in long, seed is a smooth, brown bean; very rapid grower; 20 ft tall with even greater spread; vascular and mimosa wilt occasionally kills; mimosa webworm problem in south and southwest; soft wood easily damaged; suckers and root sprouts can become a nuisance

Habitat: native to a wide range of eastern Asia; grows in nearly any soil condition under any moisture regime; grows best in full sun and on good soils; shade tolerant
Life History: blooms from mid-May to Sept./Oct.; small black berry; rapid grower into twining, tangled, dense mass, particularly in full sun; 2-21/2 ft tall without support, climbs on other vegetation; semi-evergreen in north, evergreen in south; no serious pests; difficult weed in the south to eradicate

Habitat: native of eastern Asia; grows best in well-drained, moist soils, but will germinate and grow on almost any moist, bare soil; intolerant of shade; highly adaptable "escapee"
Life History: blooms in April and May; woody capsules turn brown as they mature and persist on the tree through the winter; bear seeds at 8-10 years prolifically; seeds germinate quickly, seedlings require bare soil, sufficient moisture and full sunlight; roots sprout easily; 30-70 ft height at maturity; rapid grower on good sites, considerably slower on poor sites; deciduous; no major insect pests; minor damage from several foliage diseases

Habitat: native to China and Japan; partial shade to full sun; grows extremely rapidly
Life History: blooms in late summer where winter dieback is not complete; violet-purple, pealike flowers in upright clusters; compound leaves borne on coarse, heavy, loosely twining stems; trouble-free; difficult weed in the south to eradicate; will climb over anything in its way

Habitat: native of Japan and Korea; full sun
Life History: white clusters of flowers appear late spring or early summer; fruits bright red; up to 13 ft height, even greater spread; few pests, vigorous grower; serious weed problem in some states