Bexley commission moves to refine invasive-species list, tasking members with review and outreach planning

The Bexley Tree Commission spent a substantial portion of the meeting reviewing a proposed list of invasive and potentially invasive landscape plants and agreed to a work plan to refine the list and to develop accompanying outreach resources.

Staff presented a draft list drawn from statewide resources and asked commissioners to send suggested additions or objections with supporting documentation. Commissioners urged the group to focus the guidance on species likely to appear in local landscape applications and to remove or mark species that are not available in local nurseries or that are borderline in impact.

"It would be great if we all review that list and contribute opinions about if there is something on there that you disagree with," Walter said, urging members to cite sources when they recommend changes.

Commissioners proposed using the Ohio Invasive Plant Council (OIPC) as a primary resource, creating a shorter, applicant-facing list of plants to avoid or substitute, and pairing the list with education programs for residents. The group discussed practical questions such as whether to label borderline species and how to handle cultivars or female/male forms that differ in invasiveness.

No formal vote was taken; the commission assigned a homework task for members to submit suggested changes and supporting evidence by the January meeting and to consider public programming (Arbor Day or library events) to accompany adoption of the guidance.

Next steps: commissioners will submit proposals and documentation for the list; staff will consider whether the guidance should be embedded into application materials as a recommendation or a required certification during review.