Committee urges townwide outreach after burning-bush removals; cites new state sale restriction

Open Space Committee members described recent volunteer removal work and discussed an outreach push to reduce spread of invasive ornamental plants — particularly burning bush (Euonymus alatus).

A member reported a removal event at Onion Mountain Park that included Boy Scouts, high-school volunteers and honor students, and said volunteers removed many plants on town lands. The member said private properties still show large numbers of burning bush along roadsides and that the plant’s attractiveness leads homeowners to keep it in their landscaping despite its invasiveness.

The committee noted a state law was passed that will prohibit retail sales of burning bush in Connecticut three years after the law’s effective date; members expressed frustration that retailers will still import or sell stock in the interim. The committee discussed practical outreach measures — social-media posts, e-mail blasts, lawn signs at town properties, and an annual invasive-plant awareness day — and encouraged residents to report invasive plants on town property to staff (Tom).

Why it matters: Members said burning bush does not support local wildlife and spreads readily when birds carry the berries into woodlands. Committee members described other invasive species of local concern (oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose, Japanese barberry) and asked staff to coordinate removal efforts and public education for the coming season.

Next steps: Committee agreed to develop more prominent public messaging (website resources and signage) and to organize invasive-plant removal days in spring; members publicized one upcoming Simpson Land Trust removal event at Wagner Woods. No formal committee policy or regulatory action was taken at the meeting.