Invasive Plant Removal Efforts Coming Up In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Efforts to curb invasive plants in Alexandria will be getting underway, according to the city government.

Alexandria's invasive plant management will address various other species. According to the city, herbicide treatments and control methods will vary by site and invasive species type. Residents will see signage at treatment sites with more details, and some areas will have temporary fencing.

Invasive plants pose a risk to Virginia's ecosystem and can overtake native species. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, invasive plants can grow more quickly than native plants and spread quickly, causing harm to the environment, economy and human health.

Some common invasive species are tree-of-heaven, autumn olive, Callery pear, Japanese honeysuckle, Asiatic bittersweet, kudzu, Japanese stiltgrass and multiflora rose. For example, Japanese stiltgrass can spread rapidly and be damaging to the ecosystem.

Another species, the Callery pear or Bradford pear, can quickly spread once planted and has a greater risk of falling during severe weather.

Tree-of-heaven is the preferred host of spotted lanternflies, an invasive insect that has been spreading in Virginia and poses harm to various crops.

Here are upcoming project details shared by the city:

Friday, Oct. 10: Wilkes Street Tunnel (Between S. Royal St. and S. Fairfax St.)

• Focus: invasive vines
• Due to the sensitivity of native plants and the historical importance of the tunnel, treated vegetation will be left to decay naturally instead of being removed immediately.

Mid-Oct.: Hensley Park (4200 Eisenhower Ave.)

• Focus: Broadleaf invasive trees, shrubs and plants
• The treatment will take place in the forested area east of the baseball field and broken into three sections. Treated species type include, but not limited to, Oriental bittersweet, Tree of heaven, Bush honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckles, Multiflora rose, and Mimosa tree. It is recommended this area receive additional follow-up treatments annually for three years.

End of October: Mount Jefferson Park (301 Hume Ave.)

• Focus: Tree of heaven and English ivy
• This treatment is part of a multi-phase plan. Tree of heaven and English ivy will be addressed first, with restoration to follow. Because Tree of heaven can resprout quickly if cut, multiple treatments may be needed, with reassessment 30 to 60 days after chemical application. All work will follow best practices in coordination with the Urban Forestry team.

Monday, Nov. 24: Goat Hill Park (35 Kennedy St.)

• Focus: Kudzu
• Kudzu will be cut near the base of the trunk and treated directly on the stump. For safety reasons and to avoid damage to trees, vines will not be pulled off and instead left to decay naturally over time.

Early 2026 (date to be determined): Four Mile Run Park Kayak Launch

• Focus: Tree of heaven and maintaining clear sightlines along the boardwalk.