The Alaska Department of Natural Resources announced a quarantine on the importation, transport, and sale of invasive mayday and chokecherry trees. These two species are in the same family as cherries, plums, apples, and other fruit trees.
Targeted for removal in many locations, including Talkeetna, the invasive trees take over habitats, outcompete native vegetation, and can spread diseases. According to DNR representatives, in particular, the trees carry black knot fungus and can transfer that fungal pathogen to plum and cherry trees, a worry for Alaska’s fruit tree growers.
DNR Director of Communications Lorraine Henry says that to date, the fungus has been identified on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage and west of campus near Campbell Lake.
In previous years, the DNR Division of Forestry and Fire Protection has set aside $400,000 to help battle the invasive trees. The State also announced another $250,000 is dedicated for ongoing projects to continue that work.
Director of the Division of Agriculture Bryan Scoresby says that there are many agencies working to control these invasive trees and that this quarantine will make the goal of eliminating them more attainable.
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