The forestry department of the Moscow region explained the danger of the American maple

The American maple was able to spread uncontrollably throughout Russia due to the lack of natural threats in the region in the form of specific diseases and insect pests, as well as the lack of interest of local birds in its seeds. This was announced on June 26 by the Forestry Committee of the Moscow region.

"Unlike the local breeds, he has no natural enemies in Russia. The insects that feed on its leaves and the diseases that affect it have remained overseas. Local birds and animals are not interested in its seeds. Therefore, it began to multiply uncontrollably," the agency's press service told RIA Novosti.

The committee also added that this breed is characterized by high vitality and rapid growth. It forms dense arrays that completely block the development of other plants under their crowns, and intensively replaces traditional tree species, including birch, willow and alder. Among other things, the fragile structure of American maple trunks increases the risk of their sudden fall in urban environments, and its pollen is a powerful cause of allergic reactions.

"However, according to our data, there are no significant foci of its growth on the territory of the state forest fund of the region, therefore, there is currently no reason to talk about a serious threat of its spread in the region," the press service noted.

Dangerous weed is illegal: the land plot will no longer be taken away because of the hogweed

Hogweed is no longer considered a sign of land abandonment

On April 3, the Federal Forestry Agency published an order in which the ash-leaved maple (American) is included in the list of "invasive or alien plants" dangerous to the forest. The order applies to 15 forest-steppe and taiga regions of the country. Measures should be taken to identify and destroy plants included in the list. In addition to the American maple, the Sosnovsky hogweed was also included in the register.