Native vs. Invasive — Why Choosing the Right Plant Matters

Planting a tree can be pretty interesting. There could be a wide array of reasons why one would spend a bit of time and effort doing so. It could be for gardening or to yield some crops, or perhaps for a decorative or therapeutic intention. In any case, a plant grown is always a win for nature. So, it would be a common belief that tree-planting can be simple — even a child can do it. And that is true, but just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s without a good set of limitations or restrictions.

Some plants cannot be grown in a particular soil or climate; it’s an ever-present dissatisfaction for those who want something special for their garden. Plants that thrive during a specific season can often have trouble adjusting to regions that lack that particular season (though there are adaptations), such as the “tropical” sakura trees in the Philippines). However, the topic here is not for the plants that don’t thrive in new regions; this is for those that do.

It’s a spectacular sight to bring in a tree from another region to add a new flavor to your home country, but one must always ensure that it doesn’t come with repercussions to your environment. A new addition doesn’t only mean that it has to adjust to its unique ecosystem. The ecosystem, in turn, has to accommodate for the new addition as well. The harmonious…