Since first arriving in Florida over 50 years ago, the paperbark tree, so named because of its beautiful exfoliating bark, has ruthlessly marched across South Florida, wreaking havoc on wetlands and displacing native plant and animal communities. Trees are fast-growing and easily attain heights of 80 feet or more. Melaleucas thrive in both wetland and terrestrial habitats. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Everglades. The news gets worse.
Punk trees begin producing copious amounts of viable seed at two years of age.
Compare that fact to most natives, which seldom produce seed before their 10th birthday. Eradication attempts using chemicals have proven costly and not very effective. University of Florida researcher Dr. Randall Stocker found that melaleucas treated with herbicides only suffer a temporary setback. Opponents argue that importing an alien insect could make matters worse. Consumers can make a difference in the fight to save wetlands and halt the spread of invasive species.