Control of invasive red oak (𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘢) at Monte Barro, Lecco, Italy

Prof. Simon Pierce (University of Milan) shows students an ongoing project for the control of red oak (𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘢) at Monte Barro regional park, Lecco, Italy; a European Union Site of Community Importance (SCI IT2030003) and a Special Area of Conservation (IT2030301) that has a legal obligation to protect it's natural habitats (in this case oak-hornbeam woodland and beech woodland). Italy includes a range of native species, including various oaks, that can grow in hotter, drier climates and produce more valuable timber than 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘢 - there is certainly no need to favour this exotic species over natives.

The scientific literature shows that leaf litter of red oak acidifies the soil, making it more difficult for other plants to find nutrients, decreasing local biodiversity, and thus impacts ecosystem function:

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-25...

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-019-08...

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2020...

https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/10/10/842

Many invasive woody species, including 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘣𝘳𝘢, also produce chemicals that actively suppress other species, especially the germination of seeds:

https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/24/...

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱.