1sagittarius,

Comparing west niles virus to saw tooth oaks is comparing apples to oranges. As far as out competing native oaks, my guess is guys are planting them because of the lack of native oaks becuase of the abundance of deer. Exotics can have many negative impacts on the environment but to suggest that the Penn woods will be dominated by saw tooth oak trees in 30 years in absurd. I sign on to enjoy an educated conversation not personal attacks on the subject of my BS. Farm hunter you bring up some very relevant examples and those species should be kept in mind. The nature of these exotics are low growing thick, nasty plants. They are very hard to control. It would be much easier to control an evasion of saw tooth than it was for these species.