The Department of Agriculture’s Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee is scheduled to meet on April 25 and one item on the agenda is adding the Tree Of Heaven Spotted Lanternfly haven to the noxious weed list .(formal notice)

Tree Of Heaven is being considered as a Class B Noxious Weed which would authorize the Department of Agriculture to take action to eradicate injurious infestations and prevent sales.

Also to be considered are European frogbit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae); European water chestnut (Trapa natans); and Water primrose (Ludwigia grandiflora ssp. hexapetala) as Class A Noxious Weeds; and Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)—consider to change from Class A to Class B; .

Public comment will be accepted either in person at the meeting or in writing prior to the meeting. Written comments may be sent by email to: RA-plant@pa.gov or the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry Noxious Weed Program, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Written comments must be received by April 25. Written comments will become a part of the record, with the same force as if presented during the meeting.

The meeting agenda includes a presentation of background information on plants for consideration; public comment period; Committee discussion; Committee action on plants under consideration; and new business.

The meeting will be held at DEP’s Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg starting at 1:00.

For more information on this program, visit the Department of Agriculture’s Noxious, Invasive and Poisonous Plant Program.  Questions should be directed to Trilby Libhart, RA-plant@pa.gov, 717-787-7204.

House Bill 404 (Lawrence-R-Chester) designating the Tree Of Heaven, preferred home for the Spotted Lanternfly, as a Class B Noxious Weed  (House Fiscal Note and summary) was passed by the House on March 18 and is now in the Senate.

(Photo: Tree of Heaven DCNR Fact Sheet.)

Related Stories:

Penn State Extension Schedules More Public Meetings On Spotted Lanternfly

Managing Woody Landscape Pests, Disease From A Municipal Perspective Webinar April 16

Invasive Round Gobies May Be Poised To Decimate Endangered French Creek Mussels

[Posted: April 5, 2019]

4/8/2019