MCRD/ ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Following the Department of Defense mandated Executive Order 131112, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Office has developed an invasive species management plan.
The NREAO quickly went to work researching what effect invasive plant species had on training and which plants were the most disruptive to Parris Island.
"Environmentally speaking, invasive plant species displace native vegetation and can become so thick they will impede training," said Ron Kinlaw, environmental protection specialist.
To find out where the problem areas were on Parris Island, the NREAO looked to specialists for additional help.
"We contracted a company who specializes in invasive plant control and they mapped out the entire island and we determined what invasive species we had," said Kinlaw. "We found out that the number one immediate concern would be the Chinese Tallow tree because of its profusion and fast growth rate."
The Chinese Tallow tree resembles an ash tree and was imported from China to make soap and candles, but because of the acidic nature of North American soil, the plant was ineffective and has since been used for decorative purposes.
"The Chinese Tallow tree will grow into the pine forest and overshadow the pine seedlings and the other plants in the forest that provide food to wildlife, and therefore it will harm the wildlife," said Kinlaw. "Also, because it grows so fast, the tree blocks the sun and robs nutrients from other plants."
To get rid of the tree, the contractors decided the best thing to do would be to spray a DoD approved herbicide to kill what invasive trees they could.
"The herbicide isn't hazardous to humans or to wildlife," said Kinlaw. "How it works is the smaller trees receive the spray directly and the larger trees are first wounded and then sprayed."
Spraying began a few weeks ago and Kinlaw said results can already be seen.
"For now, you can see the smaller plants wilting, but the important thing is to get the roots to die too. We expect to see some of that within a week or two," he added.
The ultimate goal of any invasive species removal is to get rid of all of the invasive plants, but Kinlaw said that is not possible and, for now, NREAO is doing the best they can to limit and slow the growth of the Chinese Tallow tree.