A Nuisance Tree Grows in Disney World (LONG POST) June UPDATE

[montessori]

My husband and I have always enjoyed the gardens and landscaping throughout the entire Disney World properties.
A while ago (maybe a year or so), my husband noticed a BRAZILIAN PEPPER TREE growing alongside the fence beside the bridge as we were walking from The Boardwalk over to Epcot.
He was so tempted to jump the fence and pull it out but he didn't.
We felt confident that the DW landscaping crews would notice the small bush and remove it. After all, we noticed it and we know that most everyone in Florida is aware of the damage these "nuisance trees" do to Florida's natural environment.



The Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), was introduced to Florida in the 1850’s as a decorative tree, and has become one of Florida’s most aggressive invasive species. They have attacked our native trees with the toxins in its leaves and crowded out native vegetation such as mangrove, oaks, wax myrtle, palmettos, and pines that serve as habitat for wildlife.

This shrub/tree is one of the worst exotic pest plants in the State of Florida (please do not plant it or encourage its growth: It is regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection under 62C-52.011 Prohibited Aquatic Plants. It is a Class I Prohibited Aquatic Plant, which means "Under no circumstances will this species be permitted for possession, collection, transportation, cultivation, and importation except as provided in Rule 62C-52.004, F.A.C) as it produces a dense forest canopy that shades out all other foliage and which in turn produces such a poor habitat for native wildlife species that almost nothing other than the Brazilian Pepper itself will grow or live in the areas it colonizes. To put it in perspective, over 700,000 acres in Florida are covered by this weed.
Birds -- especially robins -- eat the fruit and spread the seeds in their droppings. The plant is very good at establishing itself in most areas of the state and forms dense brushy thickets which eventually choke out all native vegetation. Schinus terebinthifolius releases allelopathic chemicals where it grows which often prevents other species of plants from growing around it.

Brazilian peppers are on the State of Florida's prohibited plant list. It is illegal to cultivate, sell or transport them.

When these large shrubs or trees infest an area, they advance like armies, overwhelming everything in their paths.

They disrupt the interdependence of plants and animals crucial to their survival. Only the "invader" survives. Native plants and animals disappear.

Ill Effects of Brazilian Peppers

They kill other vegetation by forming dense thickets and by chemically suppressing the growth of understory plants.
They cut down on kinds and total numbers of wildlife by destroying their usual food and shelter.
They hurt shorelines by disturbing natural fish-breeding habitat. They crowd out valuable mangroves. Their shallow roots allow erosion.
They are members of the same family as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Any part of the plant can cause skin irritation in some people.

How Brazilian Peppers Grow

They grow rapidly up to 10 feet per year.
They resprout if cut down.
Their roots are nearly impossible to dig up.
Their prolific seeds are widely distributed by birds and animals.
They are resistant to natural events like flooding, fire and drought.
They can grow in wet or dry soil, and are salt-tolerant.
Florida has no natural predators to keep them under control as they grow rapidly up to 10 feet per year here as in Brazil.


Well, we have watched this small bush heartily grow into a very large tree and during our Christmas vacation we saw new pepper trees beginning to grow in the area.
One day we were over near the International Gateway and saw some gardeners working over by the bridge. My husband started running over there to talk to them but they headed the other way in their carts before he could reach them.
This problem may seem trivial to some, but we are disappointed that this dangerous, non-native tree is being allowed to take over any area in Florida, much less this lovely "natural" landscape on DW property.

I have written this to send to the proper DW department, when I figure out just where to send it.
I just thought I'd post it here too, in case anyone is interested!

 

[jaysue]

Thanks for the info and care and concern

Not sure where exactly to send it though

 

[tiberius]

You might try contacting the manager at the Boardwalk Villas and tell them the story since that is near the location of the tree and ask them who should be notified.

You might also go so far as notifying the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in the future if you see no action by Disney.

 

[montessori]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.
I emailed the letter to a Disney guest relations address, but I think I will call the Boardwalk and ask the manager who I should contact.

Jaysue, you have a fantastic vacation coming up!
How many nights is it?
My mother in law lives right down the street from the Vero Disney Resort.
So, we never get to stay there.
We actually did get to stay there one night a few years ago and we have spent time there. It's very nice.
Have a great time!

 

[seashoreCM]

I have girdled* small "pest" or "weed" trees both at home and in public places rather than remove them which would take longer. The tree above the injured spot dies.

For a young tree whose bark is thin and soft I can do it in less than a minute. Can't do it at WDW since I can't carry my jackknife on the airplane.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

* vandalize the bark and first few layers of sapwood all the way around in one place leaving at least an inch of bare hard heartwood exposed.

 

[jaysue]

montessori, thanks for noticing - # of nights

1 AKL Savannah
3 BWV 1BR
2 HRH
3 BCV 2BR
2 VB Beach Cottage
1 VB 2BR
8 nights condo Ft Lauderdale (parents place)
5 VB 2BR
12 nights condo Ft Lauderdale (parents place)
2 VWL 2BR

Some of the above are just me, some are me , DW, 2DS's and MIL and some are the family without me (I need to work)

Could you give me more detail as to where this noxious plant is - since I am staying at BWV, I will try and make a point of letting landscaping et al know it has to be removed

thanks
jaysue

 

[chamonix]

yes, please tell us very specifically where it is and I will also attempt to contact Disney people when I see it.
I also think you need to contact the proper state of Florida department that would regulate this, perhaps try something on the county level--do they have county extensions there?
Also, if it is "illegal" to possess it, etc. try a good old fashioned call to the police department or state police, or county DA.
There is no excuse for this tree being allowed to grow there, they employ a thousand gardeners, including college student interns.
Oh, one last thought--try telling the gardeners that work in the Living with the Land greenhouses.

 

[montessori]

Thanks for the replies!
The tree is located to the right, but at the top, of the hill going up towards the bridge when walking from Boardwalk over to Epcot.
As you are walking up the hill, to veer to the left to cross over the bridge, the tree is pretty much straight ahead of you. It's BIG and it usually has little red berries on it. It's also called "Florida Holly".

Is this helping any?


We will also be back in DW in 2 weeks, staying at AKL.
We will attempt to contact someone about this when we are there. I have made several copies of my letter and will snail mail it to a few different addresses.

Between all of us, we will get this dangerous nuisance tree removed from Disney property!
Removing these trees, once established, is not an easy task.

How I wish my husband had pulled that little bush out of the ground when we first saw it.

He also reminded me that we saw some of these trees growing "behind the scenes" when we took the "Keys to the Kingdom" tour at the Magic Kingdom.

I agree that there is no excuse for this tree being allowed to grow anywhere on Disney property.
As I said in my original post, just about everyone in Florida is aware of the danger this tree poses to Florida's natural environment and wildlife.
Yet, DW landscapers are oblivious??

I appreciate your interest.
Enjoy your vacations!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Perhaps they acquired a permit to have them. The Florida DEP does issue them.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/in....htm#62C-52.004 Criteria for Permit Issuance.

 

[chamonix]

It is not likely they have a "permit" since according to your link, the Criteria for a permit would not be issued.
Quote:
"62C-52.004 Criteria for Permit Issuance.

(3) Permits for the transportation, non-nursery cultivation, collection, or possession of any prohibited aquatic plants listed in Rule 62C-52.011, F.A.C., may only be issued to government agencies, research institutions, and wastewater treatment facilities approved by the Department of Environmental Protection."

...and then only for research or educational purpose.
I don't think they have a permit.

 

[jaysue]

Thanks for the link, Gail, I have to pass that one to my parents to make sure they don't plant anything they should not down at their FLL place

I will be printing this out and taking it down to WDW assuming the offending tree is still there

thanks
jaysue

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by chamonix
It is not likely they have a "permit" since according to your link, the Criteria for a permit would not be issued.
Quote:
"62C-52.004 Criteria for Permit Issuance.

(3) Permits for the transportation, non-nursery cultivation, collection, or possession of any prohibited aquatic plants listed in Rule 62C-52.011, F.A.C., may only be issued to government agencies, research institutions, and wastewater treatment facilities approved by the Department of Environmental Protection."

...and then only for research or educational purpose.
I don't think they have a permit.

did you read the entire 62C? I may be reading it incorrectly, but, I believe they can have this plant. Disney has their own waste water plant.

 

[nativetxn]

Since this isn't a trip planning thread I'm going to move it to our community board.

 

[chamonix]

Yes, I did read much more than I quoted, and it doesn't matter if they "have" a "Waste"water treatment plant (which is quite different than a water treatment plant, BTW, LOL) the permit would only be applicable if it the tree was actually located at the plant, not growing in the middle of the park. The link goes on to say a lot about what kind of research, etc. they need to use the plant for, eduactional programs, etc. Sure Epcot has an educational plant program/ride, but that wouldn't give them the ability to say they were "studying" that weed growing nowhere near the Living with the Land exhibit, or educating people about that tree, which they clearly are not.
Here is the "exception" that might apply:
Quote:
6) If the possession of a prohibited aquatic plant has resulted from natural dispersion, and there is neither danger of nor intent to further disperse the plant through any sales, transportation, or other action, or when a small amount of noxious aquatic plant material incidentally adheres to a boat or a boat trailer operated by a person who is not involved in any phase of the aquatic plant business and if that person is not knowingly violating this act, then no permit shall be required or penalties assessed. However, the department is authorized to quarantine, or confiscate the plant when there is a danger of further dispersal.
endquote
Although this sounds like it still must be removed to be "legal".

Gail, I'm not trying to be contrary, you're right, they may have a permit, but if they do, it is not a "legal" one, according to your link. Of course, we know the Disney company does what they want on their land more or less. There is probably a special "Disney Dispensation" or "Exeption for Disney World" somewhere, that states they can have this tree, but it's not mentioned in that link....and why would they want it?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by chamonix
Yes, I did read much more than I quoted, and it doesn't matter if they "have" a "Waste"water treatment plant (which is quite different than a water treatment plant, BTW, LOL) the permit would only be applicable if it the tree was actually located at the plant, not growing in the middle of the park. The link goes on to say a lot about what kind of research, etc. they need to use the plant for, eduactional programs, etc. Sure Epcot has an educational plant program/ride, but that wouldn't give them the ability to say they were "studying" that weed growing nowhere near the Living with the Land exhibit, or educating people about that tree, which they clearly are not.
Here is the "exception" that might apply:
Quote:
6) If the possession of a prohibited aquatic plant has resulted from natural dispersion, and there is neither danger of nor intent to further disperse the plant through any sales, transportation, or other action, or when a small amount of noxious aquatic plant material incidentally adheres to a boat or a boat trailer operated by a person who is not involved in any phase of the aquatic plant business and if that person is not knowingly violating this act, then no permit shall be required or penalties assessed. However, the department is authorized to quarantine, or confiscate the plant when there is a danger of further dispersal.
endquote
Although this sounds like it still must be removed to be "legal".

Gail, I'm not trying to be contrary, you're right, they may have a permit, but if they do, it is not a "legal" one, according to your link. Of course, we know the Disney company does what they want on their land more or less. There is probably a special "Disney Dispensation" or "Exeption for Disney World" somewhere, that states they can have this tree, but it's not mentioned in that link....and why would they want it?

Hi,
I did not take you as being contrary in the least. I was just throwing out the permit angle, just in case. I live in the NE and some genius decided that kudzu would make a super ground cover. Between that and the poision ivy vines that grew up our trees, I went insane trying to keep them free of those vines. So, I do understand how annoying and aggrevating this Florida Holly can be and why people would not want it. Trust me, I was not trying to be contrary either. Just offering a thought.
http://www.jjanthony.com/kudzu/

 

[montessori]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Perhaps they acquired a permit to have them. The Florida DEP does issue them.

You're joking, right?

Do you really believe that Disney World had the desire to acquire a permit to plant a noxious, non-native weed that will proliferate and cause great harm to Florida's natural environment and wildlife?

"I may be reading it incorrectly, but, I believe they can have this plant. Disney has their own waste water plant." GAIL HAYDEN

Why would they want it??
Did you read anything I posted about the dangers of this plant?

The Brazilian Pepper Tree poses a GREAT threat to Florida's unique and fragile ecosystem.

There are hundreds of agencies, university programs, restoration projects, even special "Pepper Tree Assault Teams and Task Forces" dedicated to the eradication of this NOXIOUS and harmful WEED.

So, Disney World decides they want to plant some??

Even Eisner's not that crazy.



Thanks for your input, chamonix.

 

[Pembo]

Are you sure it's the exact same plant? Do you think with all the experts in horticulture that work for Disney they would plant an illegal plant? Somehow I doubt it.

I'd be wary of attempting to remove it. I'm positive they are rules on vandalism at Disney.

 

[philaround]

I don't believe the OP ever indicated that she or her DH believed that this weed was deliberatly planted by DW hortaculturists, just that they should be trained to recognize it when they see it and do something about removing it. They do have a lot of area and hundreds of thousands of plants to monitor and maintain but from the post it appears that this weed is easy to see and should have been destroyed. It has obviously already begun to spread and must be taken care of immediately. JMHO.

 

[montessori]

Originally posted by Pembo
Are you sure it's the exact same plant? Do you think with all the experts in horticulture that work for Disney they would plant an illegal plant? Somehow I doubt it.

I'd be wary of attempting to remove it. I'm positive they are rules on vandalism at Disney.

We are positive it is the exact same plant.
We are also positive that the Disney experts in horticulture did not plant it.
It most likely grew from a seed dropped by a bird, just as hundreds more will grow from the seeds of this plant.

We are also positive that there are rules against vandalism in Disney World.
In spite of that, we are sorry we did not pull the little tiny noxious, nuisance weed out of the ground when we first saw it there.
We'd be out on parole by now, and the tree wouldn't be there anymore.


Thanks philaround. I'm getting a little worked up over some of the responses on here. It seems some people will play Devil's Advocate no matter what the subject matter is.
I'll mail my letters and make my calls.

And, someday, the WORLD will be free of Brazilian Pepper Trees!!

 

[mcnuss]

There are hundreds of agencies, university programs, restoration projects, even special "Pepper Tree Assault Teams and Task Forces" dedicated to the eradication of this NOXIOUS and harmful WEED.

Did you call one of these groups? It seems like they would be the ones most concerned with the problem. DW probably has zillions of nuisance plants growing. They could never keep up with all of them.
I'd also urge you to consider that DW may have special permits, or to be more specific, special exceptions, as GailHayden has suggested. I suggest this bc they planted thousands of non-native plants at AK (just saw a TV special on this), so while I would agree that it is not ideal to allow a nuisance plant to proliferate, you might consider that they are not subject to the regulations in question. Perhaps the aforementioned groups could tell you whether Disney has been granted a special exception? Likely, this is a matter of public record.