Pretty but a pain: A Wilmington park's harmful plants could soon be removed

They might be pretty, flowering plants to us, but to native plants and animals, they can cause disruption and danger.

Wilmington staff have been working to clear Chinese Privet, Mimosa and Wisteria, among other invasive species from Greenfield Park.

Greenfield Park is a 250-acre park owned by the city and encompasses the 91-acre Greenfield Lake, forested land and a 5-mile loop trail.

In the March 19 adoption of the Greenfield Park Master Plan, staff recommended the city to contract with a landscaping maintenance company on a one-time basis to remove invasive species for 30 acres in the most need of intervention.

According to the grant application, the contract is needed because the city does not have enough staffing resources to manage the task.

About the invasive species

Chinese privet is a semi-evergreen shrub that can grow up to 30 feet tall, but typically reach height ranges from 5 to 12 feet. The plant produces small, scented off-white flowers and green berries that turn a dark blue or black when they are ripe.

According to the USDA’s plant guide, the Chinese privet species was introduced in 1852 to the U.S. from China for ornamental planting and displace native vegetation due to its ability to rapidly mature and produce seeds.

When flowering, Wisteria produces dangling flowers in blue-violet coloring. The plant also has Chinese origins and is invasive in at least 19 states throughout the eastern U.S.

The Mimosa plant is also known as the Persian silk tree and is native to Asia, but was introduced to the U.S. in 1745. It's a fast-growing ornamental tree with fragrant and showy flowers and is invasive in North Carolina as well as other parts of the Southeastern U.S., according to the North Carolina State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.

What are the benefits of mitigation?

Invasive species often crowd out native plants and reduce the diversity of foods for birds and other wildlife. Chinese Privet, Mimosa and Wisteria, specifically in Greenfield Park, are impacting native wildflowers, groundcovers, ferns and mature trees, according to city staff.

By managing invasive plants, the park will also have more diverse plant populations.

The park is known for its Azalea population, and according to city staff, these flowers have also been overtaken by invasive evergreen plants in the park.

Managing invasive plant populations will also create a safer environment for park visitors by providing clearer visibility.

How much will mitigation cost?

The city of Wilmington's Parks Division has already begun the clearing efforts on Greenfield Lake's shoreline, but the number of staff that can be dedicated to the project is limited, according to the grant application.

The estimated cost for the work is $14,000 per acre or $420,000 for the 30 acres which are in most need of intervention.

To cover the cost, the city applied for the Environmental Enhancement Grant through the North Carolina Attorney General's Office at an estimated request of $45,000. The grant is for projects that improve the air, water and land quality in the state.

The city's Stormwater Division has also requested $100,000 in the 2025 fiscal year budget to fund invasive species management.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Pretty but a pain: A Wilmington park's harmful plants could soon be removed