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Bush with bright red berries - what is it? #493316

Asked November 03, 2018, 3:35 PM EDT

I have these bushes sprouting up all over my forested property in rural Clackamas County. The birds like the berries. It has small pink flowers, some visible in picture. It grows to about 6' tall and becomes an attractive bush on the hillside. It grows fairly rapidly. Leaves stay green year round. I'd like to identify it to know whether to allow it to continue to grow or not. Also are the berries edible?

Clackamas County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi,

This looks like a plant of the genus cotoneaster. This is a landscape plant which is not presently on the Oregon Department of Agriculture list of invasive species, but is listed on https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=12371

Berries are edible for many birds but not for humans.

I would not recommend allowing it to persist in a natural area. Here are some recommendations for how to get rid of it. 

If you have lots, the cut stump approach would probably be most effective.  

https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=22348

Thanks for contacting Ask an Expert.

I hope these resources help you decide what steps to take next. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks for contacting OSU Extension Service. Replied November 05, 2018, 11:33 AM EST

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