Got Nature? Blog

Break up with your Bradford pear (and other invasives)! Tippecanoe County Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting an Invasive Plant Swap open to residents of Tippecanoe County. Apply to swap up to 10 invasive trees or shrubs thanks to funding from Duke Energy. Ask your neighbor if you can help them swap an invasive plant for a native!

Approved applicants will receive a native tree or shrub at the Tippecanoe County Soil and Water Conservation District Native Tree & Shrub Sale in September. We do not currently have funds to help with the costs of removing the invasive tree. All participants will be responsible for removing their invasive tree, shrub, or grass, providing proof of removal in the form of before and after pictures, picking up their native replacement, and planting their native replacement.

Applicants with city trees will work with the City Forester from Lafayette or West Lafayette on their tree removal and replacement process. Up to 10 plants can be replaced. Replacements come in 3 gallon pots. Shrubs will be approximately 2-3 feet tall and trees will be approximately 4-5 feet tall.

Please email tictaboutinvasives@gmail.com for any questions or about a specific species you would like to replace.

The 2026 application period will close August 1, 2026. Once 200 replacements have been applied for, applications will no longer be accepted.

For further information and the application, visit the event page on the Tippecanoe County SWCD website.

Resources:
Invasive Species, Playlist
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Indiana Department of Natural Resources: Invasive Species
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Invasive Species Playlist, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
What are Invasive Species and Why Should I Care?, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Blog
Report INvasive, Purdue Extension
The GLEDN Phone App – Great Lakes Early Detection Network
EDDMapS, Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA)
Episode 11 – Exploring the challenges of Invasive Species, Habitat University-Natural Resource University
Emerald Ash Borer Information Network, Purdue University and Partners
What Nurseries Need to Know About the Invasive Species Regulation, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Invasive plants: impact on environment and people, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Tree Installation: Process and Practices, The Education Store
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Tree Pruning Essentials Video, Purdue Extension YouTube Channel
Find an Arborist, International Society of Arboriculture

Tippecanoe County SWCD