Non-native species shouldn't be in cities.

Editor: AMERICAN FORESTS has been soliciting donations to revitalize Urban Forestry. I, as a private landowner, consider Urban Forestry as the biggest threat to our native forests, at least here in the Midwest. Cities do not want and do not plant native trees. Having been a partner in a tree-moving business with a truck-mounted tree spade, I can only recall moving one hickory tree (native) out of approximately 1,000 trees.

Here in Wisconsin, October and November are good times to view the takeover of roadsides and native forest understory, because while the leaves of our native trees have either fallen or turned color, buckthorn leaves are still green. This is a perfect example of an invasive shrub-like tree planted abundantly in the cities that is taking over much of our native forests.

While our native black locust is on the list of invasive native species, exotic varieties of locust are being intensely planted in the cities. Another invasive, amur maple (USDA release), is a favorite because of its colorful leaves and seeds. None of our native trees including boxelder are loaded with winged seeds like this USDA release.

Ironically, invasive non-native trees and shrubs are not taken into consideration when being certified for sustainability as many of our state forests are overrun with invasive plants and trees that have been certified. I would hate to see what our forest will look like 25 years from now. They should be colorful.

Not only does our state issue grants to the cities for the planting of exotic and invasive non-native trees but the state also subsidized the nurseries that grow them with grants for fencing and deer damage. For me as a native forest owner and planter, donating money for exotic trees for cities is out of the question.

Royal J. Carey

Campbellsport, WI

Deborah Gangloff responds: AMERICAN FORESTS, through our urban forest work, encourages the planting of the "right tree in the right place with the right care." In cities, as in rural forests, we encourage the use of suitable native species. However, there are situations where the best tree might not be a native species. (City conditions can be tough, and the right tree may not be a species that grew in the area prior to development.) While we support the planting of suitable non-natives, we never encourage the planting of invasive species (which can be native or not). Finally, while we believe that the sprawl of urban areas is leading to loss of forest land, the problem is urban spread, not urban forestry, which helps to bring forest management to cities.