State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management

10/31/2026

No tricks, just treatment!

Some of the scariest things lurking in Indiana’s woods aren’t ghosts or goblins. They’re invasive plants like bush honeysuckle and wintercreeper!

These plants can take over natural areas, crowd out native vegetation, and make it harder for native plants to thrive. But you don’t need garlic or a wooden stake to fight these monsters!

One effective control method for certain woody invasive plants is cut stump herbicide treatment. After cutting the plant, an appropriate herbicide is applied directly to the stump using a dauber bottle. This targeted approach helps control regrowth without spraying herbicide over the surrounding vegetation.

Fall and winter are great times for this treatment! Many woody invasive plants can be treated during the dormant season when the leaves have dropped and other vegetation is less active. Avoid treating during the spring sap flow, when rising sap can dilute or push herbicide out of the cut surface, reducing treatment effectiveness for some species.

Check out the video to see this method in action!

Remember to always follow the herbicide label for application instructions, appropriate uses, and safety precautions.

Have a happy Halloween, and don't let invasive plants haunt your woods!

10/30/2026

Hard work pays off! And sometimes, it comes with a beautiful surprise!

All those hours spent removing invasive plants can make a real difference for Indiana’s native wildlife and wildflowers. Just look at this incredible find! 😍

Regional Specialist, AJ Popovic captured these photos of a beautiful native Lady’s Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes ovalis) discovered during the St. Joe/Marshall Invasive Plant Partnership (SMIPP)’s monthly W**d Wrangle!

By tackling invasive plants and giving native species room to thrive, volunteers are helping restore healthy habitats. Discoveries like this are a wonderful reminder of what we're working to protect!

A big THANK YOU to SMIPP's dedicated volunteers for showing up month after month and making a difference for Indiana’s natural areas!

Have you spotted any native wildflowers while working to remove invasive plants? Tell us about your discoveries in the comments! 👇

10/29/2026

Making a difference, one w**d at a time!

A big shoutout to Keeping Invasives In Check (KIC) for the great work they did at their W**d Wrangle at Otis Park this week!

Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work removing invasive plants that can take over natural areas and crowd out native vegetation wintercreeper, bush honeysuckle, and privet.

Every invasive plant removed is a step toward healthier habitats and more room for Indiana’s native plants and wildlife to thrive.

We're grateful for the volunteers who show up, put in the work, and help protect our local natural spaces. Check out these photos to see their hard work in action!

Want to get involved with KIC? Check out their page https://www.facebook.com/lawrencecokic

10/28/2026

SUMAC OR TREE OF HEAVEN? 👀 Let's settle this leafy look-alike showdown!

At first glance, these two can fool you. Both have long, compound leaves with lots of leaflets, but one supports wildlife, and the other is an invasive troublemaker!

Pictured here is our Regional Specialist, Amber Slaughterbeck, showing off just how BIG Tree of Heaven leaves can get compared to one of our native sumacs!

NATIVE SUMAC: Our native sumacs are great for wildlife and bring beautiful fall color to Indiana! Look for serrated (toothed) edges on the leaflets of many native sumacs. When the leaves have fallen, check the twigs for small heart shaped leaf scars, another clue that can help distinguish sumac from Tree of Heaven.

TREE OF HEAVEN: This invasive tree grows quickly and spreads aggressively! Look for smooth leaflet edges with one or two rounded teeth near the base, often with a small gland underneath. Crush a leaflet, and you may notice an unpleasant odor! When the leaves have fallen, check the twigs for large, shield shaped leaf scars to help distinguish Tree of Heaven from native sumacs.

The trick? Don't rely on just one feature! Check the leaflet edges, the base of each leaflet, the smell, and the plant's overall growth habit.

Have you ever mistaken Tree of Heaven for sumac? Tell us in the comments!

Knowing the difference is the first step toward protecting our native plants and the wildlife that depend on them!

10/28/2026

Almost November, and the pollinators are still finding something to love!

Native wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) is a wonderful late season resource for bees and other pollinators, offering nectar and pollen as we head into the colder months.

For more information on native plants visit https://indiananativeplants.org/

10/26/2026

Keep an eye out for this invasive fall bloomer!

Those beautiful white flowers might look harmless, but sweet autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) can cause big problems for Indiana’s natural areas!

This fast-growing vine can climb over structures and plants, smothering native vegetation and blocking the sunlight plants need to survive. It also produces fluffy, wind dispersed seeds that help it easily spread to new areas.

Know what to look for!
1. Small, fragrant white flowers with four petals that bloom in late summer and fall
2. Opposite leaves
3. Fluffy, silvery seed heads that develop after flowering

Help us track its spread! If you spot sweet autumn clematis growing outside of cultivation, report the escaped population on EDDMapS. Be sure to include photos to help document the sighting! https://www.eddmaps.org/

Every report helps land managers better understand where invasive plants are spreading and where action may be needed. Have you seen this vine growing in the wild? Let us know!

For more information on Sweet Autumn Clematis visit https://sicim.info/news/invasiveofthemonthseptember2020

10/26/2026

SAVE THE DATE! SICIM’s Annual Meeting is coming!

Mark your calendars for January 11, 2027! 🎉

Join us as we celebrate the work happening across Indiana to combat invasive species and connect with the partners who make it all possible.

From local invasive species projects to statewide collaboration, there’s so much happening across Indiana, and we can’t wait to bring everyone together to celebrate the progress and look ahead to what’s next!

📅 January 11, 2027
📍 Morgan County Fairgrounds
Martinsville, Indiana

More details, including registration information, are coming soon, so stay tuned!

We hope to see our partners, volunteers, and fellow invasive species fighters there!

10/24/2026

Who says you need an invasive shrub to have a colorful fall landscape?

Some of the best fall colors can be found right here in Indiana, growing on native shrubs that offer so much more than good looks!

If you're looking for alternatives to invasive ornamental shrubs, here are five native plants worth adding to your list:

1. Black Chokeberry (Photinia melanocarpa) – Brilliant red to orange fall foliage, plus dark berries that provide food for wildlife.

2. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) – Golden yellow fall leaves, fragrant foliage, and bright red berries that birds love.

3. Serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) – Beautiful yellow, orange, and red fall color, with spring flowers and summer berries for wildlife.

4. Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) – Orange to reddish fall foliage, spring flowers, and berries that help feed wildlife.

5. Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica) – Fiery shades of red, orange, and purple, with red berries and a spreading growth habit that can work well as a low growing shrub.

Native plants bring seasonal beauty to your yard while helping support the wildlife that depends on our local ecosystems. And with so many options, you don't have to sacrifice fall color to make a better choice for Indiana's landscape!

Which one would you plant in your yard? Tell us in the comments, and share this post with someone planning their fall landscape!

Photo Credits
1: https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/difference-between-glossy-chokeberry-autumn-magic-chokeberry-18026567.php
2: https://possibilityplace.com/product/lindera-benzoin/
3: https://www.cottagegardennatives.com/product/allegheny-serviceberry-amelanchier-laevis/343
4: https://menokenfarm.com/product/nannyberry-viburnum-lentago/
5: https://plantfinder.nativeplanttrust.org/plant/Rhus-aromatica

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

Help Save Bedford’s Trees! 🌳

Wintercreeper might look like a pretty groundcover, but this invasive plant can climb trees, smother native vegetation, and take over natural areas. Now, you can help do something about it!

Join Lawrence County KIC, the City of Bedford, and local partners for a hands-on volunteer event to learn how to identify, treat, and remove invasive wintercreeper at Otis Park Golf Course.

📅 Tuesday, October 27, 2026
⏰ 1–3 PM
📍 Meet in the parking lot in front of Otis Park Golf Course
607 Tunnelton Road, Bedford, IN

Bring garden gloves, bug spray, and loppers if you have them. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes!

Whether you're experienced with invasive plant removal or just want to learn, come out and help protect Bedford's trees and local habitats. Every bit of effort makes a difference!

Questions? Contact Lawrence County SWCD at 812-279-8117 ext. 3.