Should not allow photos of invasive speices

I respectfully disagree. Invasiveness is largely a geographical issue. A species is not intrinsically evil because it's been planted in the wrong place...and you don't know where that photo was taken. NGA is a worldwide organization.

That's a beautiful photograph of a beautiful plant and rightfully deserves a place in our competition.

Agree with Zoe, besides, thanx to birds and wildlife and changing USDA zones, controlling a plants choice of home is rather moot. It is a beautiful specimen of a plant. By the way, I happen to live where every plant is invasive, it is a losing battle.

Very pretty photo! Invasive plants are a concern, so it is important to consider location and other factors when choosing plants for your landscape.

I'm not sure if GardensJohn simply gave this photo a title or if he meant to identify the plant. There is a plant with the common name "burning bush" (scientific name: Euonymus alatus). GardensJohn's picture looks more like red maple (Acer rubrum) or a hybrid maple such as Freeman maple (Acer rubrum x Acer saccharinum).

Burning bush Euonymus alatus:


Red maple Acer rubrum 'Red Sunset':

The photo looks to me like an Amur Maple "Flame" , and a burning bush planted next to eachother. There were no specifications against photos of invasive species and what is invasive in one area may not be in another location. A plants growth habits, native geographical area, ect, has nothing to do with its beauty or worth in regard to photography/art.

I have 5 or 6 rather large alatus, and they are very well behaved. The oldest is about 20 years old and the youngest around 15. So, they've have more than enough time to become a problem. This may be because the deer like to munch on them through mid-summer. I find a several seedlings each year. Most I just pull up. Some, I put in pots and grow on. Besides, if it keeps the deer from eating my hosta, I'm all for it.

I have more problems with red bud seedlings coming up everywhere than the alatus. I lose count by mid-June of how many I've pulled out.

Sorry folks, but the trees are not burning bushes. I simply gave the photograph that title because the trees were so red! They were both Japanese maples. No invasive species here. However, had that beautiful color been a burning bush actually, I still would have photographed it. I'm afraid I respectfully disagree with not being allowed to enter a picture of an invasive species. Where I live Sweet Autumn Clematis are invasive like crazy! Yet I would never try to disallow a photograph of one in bloom. the scent and the flowers on a full grown Sweet Autumn Clematis are beautiful! Definitely surprised to find the discussion tonight. Merry Christmas to you all!

We are glad you did post it, it was gorgeous!

Spectacular red John--gorgeous photo! and a fine title at that

Near as I can tell it's only patcappelli's objection to photos of 'invasives' and we don't know why the idea of allowing photos of invasive species is so objectionable.
It is an odd discussion.

There is certainly no prohibition against such photos on the site nor in the contest.

Oh sorry--I tried to edit my post because I meant to say congratulations on the win in the first place.
I don't understand how it turned into a second post. more weirdness

dirtdorphins said:Oh sorry--I tried to edit my post because I meant to say congratulations on the win in the first place.
I don't understand how it turned into a second post. more weirdness

Thank you, but to keep the record straight, I won third place in the trees and shrubs...not "on the win in the first place".

poor phrasing--I meant to say congratulations prior to blathering on about the other and tried to sneak it in

Congratulations John! Fabulous photo of brilliant Maples

hope that's clear

It was one of my favorite tree photos, too! Hard to beat a maple for autumn color, and you captured a splendid scene.

I appreciate all of your kind comments. Thanks. Merry Christmas to you all!

Thanks for your worthy contributions, John.
And a Merry Christmas to you.

I agree, burnin bush has not been invasive where I am but Sweet Autumn Clamatis is trying to climb my oak trees. it smothers everything it meets. I was laid up due to heart surgery and a broken wrist for 2 years. it is out of control but i do love the fragrance and thewhite flowers.

I agree with Pat. Regardless of what the trees in the photo are, invasive species are invasive species, regardless of where they are found. They may "only" be invasive in one state or one region, but who knows what will happen in the future with climate change. It is the responsibility of everyone to do anything they can to not condone or encourage the use of invasive species (plants or animals), regardless of how "beautiful" they are. Maybe some people are confusing native plants with non-native plants, but invasive species are an entirely different thing, causing harm to an entire ecosystem.

Interesting discussion and the maple trees are glorious in their colour. As for the 'invasive species' point of view, taking the position that it's not acceptable to photograph an invasive species or post a picture is like saying, 'How dare you put a picture of poison ivy' in a book on vines. It's called censorship and I, for one, oppose censorship in any form.

Rather than not posting a picture of invasive species (as suggested in this thread - which, by the way, was an incorrect reference to begin with, as the maple trees are 'not' burning bush...) I would hope we would all take the time to turn such discussions into education rather than censorship. Opening a discussion and learning from others' experiences by far outweigh the attitude that such things should not be posted at all.

And speaking of invasive, years ago a maternal aunt discovered I had morning glories growing up to a porch overhang and she went on a completely uninvited rant against morning glories and was furious that I had planted them. When she finally wound down (about 5 min. later) I quietly informed her, that here in zone 3, the seeds from morning glories never survive our winters.

Perspective & location can change a lot of minds about what 'invasive' actually means - nor do I expect the planet to 'suddenly' (over the next 200 years) start allowing morning glories to seed themselves indiscriminately here... I have been planting them for over 50 years and not once has a single seed ever brought back a morning glory the following summer.

We should not be judging other people's choices nor censoring valid discussions, IMHO. Thank you to John for posting that glorious photo!

Any human other than native Americans are invasive species so maybe all us noxious humans should leave this continent

John, it's a beautiful pic!

Pat, all plants are native to somewhere. A native can't invade its own territory. There is no such thing as an inherently invasive plant.