Shipley Homestead Invasive Vegetation Management

WSSI created a seven-year non-native invasive species management plan to address copious amounts of invasive vines, shrubs, and herbaceous flora for the Shipley Homestead mixed-use development in Hanover, Maryland.

The Challenge

Manage the many invasive species present in the  forested 100-year floodplain conservation easement in order to meet County requirements.

Our Solution

WSSI was contracted by the landowner to create a seven-year non-native invasive species management plan to address the issue. WSSI’s ISA-certified Arborists created the plan, and WSSI’s Maryland Department of Agriculture-licensed pesticide applicators began work on the site in 2021.

The first mechanical treatment on vines and shrubs started in the winter, with a focus on gaining access to parts of the project that were overgrown. We completed follow up mechanical treatment in the spring, targeting all invasive vines, and then we applied foliar treatment to herbaceous and ground-level invasive plants. We performed another herbicide treatment in the fall focusing on later seasonal invasives. Treatments for 2022 included spring and late summer applications to invasive species regrowth.

In early 2023 the floodplain easement area adjacent to the protected forested lands started getting more sunlight due to clearing that was part of the residential development work. The invasive plant population, particularly the herbaceous understory, took advantage of the abundant resource and grew significantly. WSSI proactively communicated the issue with the client and increased efforts on herbaceous treatments moving forward.

The project is a seven-year effort scheduled to last through 2028. Yearly walk-throughs with WSSI, the client, and County Forestry help to show progress, enforce expectations, and focus efforts.