Woody invaders and the challenges they pose to forest ecosystems in the eastern United States

Invasive exotic species pose significant challenges for natural resource managers charged with the maintenance of biological diversity and the sustainable production of forest resources. In this article, we review what is known about the biology and control of some of the most serious woody invaders of eastern forests. Based on the parallels between these invasions, we propose a working framework for integrating invasive control into forestry practices. In general, early detection and rapid response to invasions are essential. However, given that consistently effective control strategies that are broadly applicable simply do not exist for many species, adaptive management strategies will be necessary.