Common hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 10
Evaluation and Proposed Status
Existing Protection or Other Status
The Nature Conservancy gives this species a global rank of G5; however there are five states where it is listed as imperiled (S1 or S2) and one state and Ontario where it is listed as vulnerable (S3), by the most recent listing of 2000, accessible through the NatureServe web site.
It is listed as a species of Special Concern by COSEWIC but is currently without formal protective status in Ontario.
Assessment of Status and Author’s Recommendation
The comparison of current population counts of those with past estimates has shown what appears to be a significant decline, and as pressure to develop the Lake Erie shoreline, either for cottages or recreational beaches, this species will be under greater jeopardy. However, with better awareness and more sensitive land management, the jeopardy could be greatly reduced. This species appears to thrive on dynamic shore habitats; with minimal changes in practices its security could be increased.
Proposed Status: The species is best considered as threatened in Ontario in view of the following factors: limited geographical occurrence; few localities with any significant numbers of trees, some with only single or very few trees of this dioecious species; three recent losses of populations; a major decline (61% loss) of a population at Fish Point Nature Reserve.
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