As the number of people occupying south central Texas has increased over the past 250 years, so in turn, the number of non-native plants has increased as well. These plants were often introduced as garden plants, or as a potential cattle food source. Once planted, many of these species have taken hold in the warm, often humid climate of South Texas, and quickly spread.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park has many non-native plant species, but four are predominant; Chinaberry, glossy privet, giant reed and Johnsongrass.
The park is currently conducting an agressive campaign to control Chinaberry and privet by cutting down isolated pockets and thinning major stands (temporarily leaving some to maintain potential nesting habitat for birds). The park is experimenting with the most effective method of control, including use of an herbicide application as a stump-cut treatment. Some of the cut areas are being revegetated with native plant species.
