Tree-of-Heaven Added to Controlled Plants and Noxious Weed List

A meeting of the Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Committee was held on April 25, 2019, in Harrisburg at the Department of Environmental Protection, Southcentral Regional Office. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the addition of four plants to the noxious weed list and to consider a change of noxious weed class for one plant.

A quorum of the Committee was present at the meeting. After the acknowledgement of written public comments received and a discussion of the Committee, the Committee voted to approve tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) for addition to the noxious weed list as a class B Noxious Weed.

The addition of the previously listed plants to the Controlled Plants and Noxious Weeds list will become effective 60 days from publication of their notice, Saturday, June 1, 2019.

The PA Department of Agriculture defines Class B Noxious Weeds as follows: The department may require control of Class B weeds to contain an injurious infestation, or may provide education or technical consultation. In addition to tree-of-heaven, the following are Class B noxious weeds.

Bull thistle or Spear thistle - Cirsium vulgare

Canada Thistle - Cirsium arvense

Musk Thistle or Nodding Thistle - Carduus nutans

Johnson Grass - Sorghum halepense

Mile-a-Minute – Persicaria perfoliata

Multiflora Rose - Rosa multiflora

Purple Loosestrife - Lythrum salicaria

Shattercane - Sorghum bicolor

Poison hemlock – Conium maculatum

For more on the PA Department of Agriculture’s Noxious, Invasive and Poisonous Plant Program click here.