The Invaders: Autumn Olive

Professional Horticulturist and Master Gardener Ellen Nibali identifies Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb) and explains how to remove this invasive plant from your garden.

Click here to read our publication on invasive species for even more information: http://www.hgic.umd.edu/_media/documents/publications/hg88.pdf


This video is brought to you by the Home and Garden Information Center, part of University of Maryland Extension. Learn about our Grow It Eat It campaign, which provides resources and encourages people to start their own food gardens. http://www.growit.umd.edu/
Check out our facebook page for more gardening advice: http://www.facebook.com/UMDHGIC#!/GIEIMaryland

Intro Credit: "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956); Allied Artists. Music and shot of woman screaming used here in accordance with Fair Use.

Shot and Edited by: Alix Watson and Emily Heimsoth

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[Odinsvoyage]

Sounds like a Elaeagnus hater to me... ;) But, seriously this is a really useful plant. I don't really buy into the war of nonnatives line of discussion.

[UMDHGIC]

Had two myself and wasn't happy to learn they're invasive in MD, but mine keeled over in an ice storm.

Lots of development here and invasive plants LOVE disturbed areas, so move in fast and prevent natural succession of native plants that wildlife need to survive.

No war! Most introduced species are good, like azaleas. THEY don't take over the neighborhood and US. Look for our new video on why invasive plants are important. They are fascinating and sneaky!

[pierresoleil1]

Nitrogen fixers, high in lycopene - much more so than tomatoes.. and provide understory and mulch in a true permaculture environment. INVASIVES.. MY FOOT... read the book Invasive Plant Medicines.. find out how Japanese Knotweed can help cure Lymes, prevent cancer.. We need to look at these things in a very different way!!!!

[MrNativeDancer]

The berries are so so tastey! I cant stop eating them! It is such a useful plant! Windbreak! Trees for birds to nest in, food for birsd, flowers for bees so very important! Bees need all the flowers they can get right now.

This invasive plant rubbish is rife! All trees block out light lol go take a wake in any forrest or woods, so what the difference! wether its native pines or maples etc.

[davetista]

It's a great food source... I don't see much of a problem besides it beating native species.

[WannaBEEfarmer]

I love Elaeagnus autumn olive, so do the bee's and the Bears around here.

This is something even I can grow. Well it just kind of grows on its own in our yard

I have not seen Entire tracts of this plant in our area. Just it places where the soil was treated very poorly by humans.

[FreedomFox1]

A nitrogen-fixing, easy-to-grow, delicious fruit -- this would be perfect for my garden! But even though I've never seen one in my state, for some reason the Autumn Olive is illegal (I prefer to call it "undocumented").

[FreedomFox1]

@frogonature "None if any insects will eat it, no mammals, so it goes without grazing control." LOL! I just saw some guy's video that included bears and wild turkeys eating the berries. And the idea that insects and other animals prefer natives has been scientifically disproved.

[frogonature]

The problem with invasive species is that it takes food and habitat away from native species and animals. The birds may be able to eat the berries, but that is the end of it's benefit. None if any insects will eat it, no mammals, so it goes without grazing control. Native plants offer many more food opportunities for wildlife, bear fruit at different more adventageous times, and provide habitat. Entire tracts of this plant (which tends to happen) means no biodiversity and restricts habitat.

[nightscape2008]

So sad to hear that a "Professional Horticulturist and Master Gardener" dislikes this plant. The berries are wonderful and so healthy that why would someone want to rip saplings out and put herbicide on the stump? Because it doesn't play nice with a cosmetic non-fruit bearing bush? sigh... what is UMD teaching in their school?

[warrior54p]

Good fruits who wants to get rid of em. I love them but my friends won't eat them cause they look like the stereotypical poisonous berry

[josephdupont]

I love these plants and feel that they are good for my health. that's all that matters.