Controlling Exotic Chinaberry and Glossy Privet Implementation Plan for FY02

Saperstein, Alan

San Antonio Missions NHP will expand a program, started in FY2000, to other areas of thepark in order to control highly invasive exotic plants within its boundaries. This aspect ofproject will be a two year phased project to remove exotic plants from the following areas: (1)the Espada Labores area; (2) and San Juan Labores area. Two particular species,Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) and glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum), have been identifred ashighly invasive and have the ability to crowd out and destroy native plant communities. Bothspecies occur prolifically in almost all areas of the park and are actively being controlled bycity and state agencies.The occurrences of these two noxious weed-trees within the San Antonio Missions NationalHistorical Park is primarily, but not exclusive to, areas where soil and vegetation have beenaltered by human activities. These disturbed areas provide ail excellent environment forweed-tree development and serve as a source for spread to adjacent uninfected areas. Bothspecies have also been identified as encroaching into forestlands. Chinaberry and glossyprivet now occur in varying degrees on approximately 3/4 of the park's 830 acres of land.Nevertheless, due to the long growing season and the favorable climate, the mission areacontains a surprising array of flora. Wooded areas occur along the small sections of the SanAntonio River that have escaped channelization, and surround many of the Spanish CotonialMission structures within the park's boundaries. Although these areas contain only remnantsof the species that originally populated them, they can provide the visitor with a welcomerespite from the city and an opportunity to quietly observe plants and animals in a relativelynatural setting.