Some of Oklahoma’s toughest invasive plant problems began with good intentions. Plants were brought in for forage, erosion control, shelterbelts and landscaping, but a few eventually escaped and began changing native grasslands and pastures. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken talks with Oklahoma State University’s Karen Hickman Ph.D. about Old World bluestem, sericea lespedeza, Bradford pear and other problem plants. Hickman explains the important difference between an invasive plant and a legally designated noxious weed, how seed can move on vehicles, equipment, hay, soil and gravel, and why invasive vegetation can create additional wildfire hazards. The biggest lesson is simple: finding and controlling a small patch early is much easier than dealing with an entire pasture later.