Brazilian Peppertrees to be Removed From Spruce Creek

The Volusia County government will be conducting operations to remove Brazilian peppertree plants from the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve next week, the county announced Wednesday. The trees, also commonly known as the Florida holly, is considered one of the most persistent invasive plant species in the Sunshine State. The removal efforts are slated to begin on Tuesday, May 27th. The Volusia County Resource Stewardship team will be working to reduce the population of the tree within one of Volusia’s key ecological preserves, hoping to reduce the harmful effects it can have on native species. “This strategic timing is crucial,” said Volusia County Land Manager Richard Harris. “By removing these plants before berry maturation, we prevent birds from consuming and dispersing the seeds, significantly reducing future spread of this invasive species.” In order to remove the trees, the county says crews will use hand tools to cut them down at the base. At that point, herbicide treatments will be administered to the remaining stumps. The operation will be conducted without the deployment of heavy machinery, and Volusia County says crews will be taking precautions to ensure native plant life is not harmed. The Brazilian peppertree grows to between 23 and 33 feet, and is most easily identifiable by its clusters of red berries. These berries are not edible and can be toxic for human consumption. The species is native to South America, particularly Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It has become especially prevalent as an invasive species in the United States, and has been recorded in at least Florida, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas. It’s believed the trees were initially planted outside of their native range for decoration, but their efficiency in spreading seed through birds and insects has led to their explosion in population wherever they’ve been introduced. Other areas of the world dealing with the plant include the Caribbean islands, eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and parts of Africa.