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Our 2026 program will open in March! Subscribe to our Backyard Conversation newsletter to get a notification when the program opens.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Residents of participating communities can receive a $100-$500 reimbursement for removing an invasive tree or shrub and replacing it with a new native tree or shrub. With this program, we want to reduce the number of invasive plants in our communities and encourage residents to plant new native trees and shrubs instead. Thank you to the City of New Albany who helped us pilot this program in 2024. In 2025, we are excited to announce that the program has expanded to other communities!
THE PROBLEM WITH INVASIVE PLANTS
Invasive plants are non-native, aggressive plants that take over natural areas and push out native species. Invasive species are detrimental to our woodlands and natural areas. Although an invasive plant might not take over your yard, invasive plants easily spread to nearby natural areas via humans, wind, and wildlife. Without native plants, many pollinators and wildlife simply cannot survive. Furthermore, since 2010, i
nvasive species have cost North America $26 billion per year in harm. This economic harm has a significant impact on the agricultural industry in particular. Many invasive plants spread unknowingly from home gardens to other properties and natural areas. By removing invasive plants at home, you are helping to slow the spread and improve our environment.
These 5 plants are the most problematic invasive plants in Central Ohio that we want removed:
Click on each name above to learn more about each invasive plant and the best removal practices.
PARTICIPATING COMMUNITIES
For 2025, residents in the following municipalities are eligible for the following reimbursements:
- Columbus $100*
- Grandview $100
- Grove City $100
- New Albany $500
- Reynoldsburg $100
- Upper Arlington $150
- Westerville $100 - Callery & Bradford Pears Only
These are
first come, first served, very limited quantity, and reimbursement only. If you plan on participating, please reach out before doing it to confirm availability!
*We are out of funding in Columbus for 2025.
If eligible, you must follow these steps to get the incentive:
Phase I: Application Screening Process- Complete the screening form. We will check your tax district and check your invasive you wish to remove to verify that you are eligible. Have a picture of your invasive plant handy when you submit the form.
- Receive approval and next steps from Franklin Soil and Water. Once you receive approval, you will move to Phase II and get the next steps from Franklin Soil & Water.
Phase II: Take Action- Remove at least one of your approved invasive trees or shrubs. Take pictures of your removed invasive plants.
- Buy and plant at least one new NATIVE tree or shrub on your property. Must be a native tree or shrub. Must be native or a cultivar of a native such as 'Winter Red' Winterberry - Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red'. However, no invasive or non-natives will be accepted. Once planted in the ground, take pictures.
- Submit your pictures and receipts to Franklin Soil & Water who will then mail you a reimbursement check. Receipt(s) must be a legitimate receipt, meaning a receipt or invoice that is itemized, printed or digital, and from a legitimate retailer, vendor, contractor, or store. No cash under the table, Venmo exchanges, etc. Your reimbursement total can include the cost of the new plants plus any contractor/labor fees to plant your new natives or remove your invasives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Am I eligible? You must live in a participating tax district to qualify. Participating tax districts are listed above under "Participating Communities." We will check your tax district with the Franklin County Auditor's website. If you do not live in a participating tax district, you are NOT eligible due to lack of funding.
- Can I use this program to remove a street tree in front of my house? NO! This program is NOT for removal or plantings in the public right-of-way or tree lawn. The public right-of-way is typically the area between your street and sidewalk. For trees in the public right-of-way, please contact your municipality for assistance and ask for street tree program information. This is because they own it - not you! Many municipalities have street tree programs.
- Why do I need to submit a screening form/apply for consideration? The short version is because we want to make sure you are eligible and have funding available before you do the work. If we didn't do this, we could run out of spots before you complete the work and submit your reimbursement form. While we want people to remove invasives as much as possible, it can be an expensive undertaking that many residents cannot afford without the financial assistance from this program. Therefore, we want to make sure we have a spot for you before you incur any expenses.
- Do I need to provide receipts? YES. For any of our reimbursement programs, receipts are required - no exceptions. This is to protect the integrity of the program and ensure our compliance with the State Auditor. You must provide legitimate receipts for purchasing new native trees/shrubs or removing your invasive tree/shrub. We cannot accept any "cash under the table" purchases, Venmo screenshots, etc. A legitimate receipt or invoice is one that is itemized, printed or digital format (not handwritten), and from a legitimate retailer, vendor, contractor, or store. Receipt must show date of purchase, vendor, itemized purchases, and a subtotal and total. We cannot accept any "cash under the table," Venmo exchanges, screenshots of text exchanges or card transactions, etc. If utilizing a contractor, make sure you get a legitimate receipt or invoice from your contractors.
- What is eligible for reimbursement? Your reimbursement total can include the cost of purchasing new native trees/shrubs and any contractor/labor fees to plant your new natives or remove your invasives. To be considered for your reimbursement, you must be able to provide a legitimate receipt (see previous question for what is a legitimate receipt).
- How do I know if the new tree/shrub I'm purchasing is native? There is no universal source to determine if something is native. You can utilize our native lists and resources (see tree/shrub sections), ask the nursery staff, shop at a native plant nursery, or ask Franklin Soil & Water staff for recommendations.
- Would it satisfy the removal requirement if I remove something that isn't listed in the Top 5? NO. The invasive you remove must be a tree or shrub within our "Top 5 Most Wanted" because these species are high priority for removal. If you live in Westerville, you are only eligible for Callery Pear removal. We may be expanding the list in future years though - stay tuned.
- Are perennials/flowers/grasses eligible? NO. This program is to remove an invasive tree/shrub and replace it with a new native tree/shrub. No perennials/flowers/grasses are eligible for reimbursement or removal.
- I'm not sure what plant this is or if it is an eligible invasive. How can I identify it? You can try putting it into a plant ID app or website like iNaturalist, Seek, PictureThis, etc. If that doesn't help, you can send us photos, and we can try to ID it. It is helpful for us if we get photos of the whole plant and close ups of the leaves, bark. If you have photos of blooms or fruits, send those too.
- Why are you out of funds? We have limited funding for this program.
- Can I do this program multiple times this year? NO. Limit one per household per year.
- Can I get a Community Backyards rebate and this one too? YES. The Invasive Trade In Program is a SEPARATE program from Community Backyards rebates - meaning you can do BOTH programs within the same year if eligible.
Questions? Contact Franklin Soil & Water at 614-486-9613 or
CommunityBackyards@franklinswcd.org.