Bialowieza Forest is launching a fight against invasive plant species, including red oaks. An experiment is planned for 2026, which will include mechanical and chemical methods for destroying these trees. The most radical method is considered to be the felling of red oaks.
Illustrative photo
The red oak arrived in Belarus from North America at the end of the 19th century for the palace park in Belovezha. Its danger lies in its rapid growth, prolific seed production, and resistance to local pests. As a result, the red oak replaces local oak species and other deciduous trees.
In addition to the red oak, the invasive species that Bialowieza Forest intends to combat also include the box elder maple (Acer negundo), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis).
Invasive plants threaten local flora because they displace native species and disrupt natural ecosystems. For example, Canadian goldenrod quickly forms dense thickets that suppress other plants. The box elder maple releases substances toxic to other species, and the black locust alters soil composition by enriching it with nitrogen, which harms local plants adapted to nutrient-poor soils.
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