Here you see a huge Burning Bush shrub (Euonymous alatus), a native of Asia that was introduced into the United States in the mid-19th Century. The plant became extraordinarily popular in New England, where it also is known as Winged Spindle due to the shape of its stemmed leaves.
However, in the 1970s, concerned regulators documented significant problems caused by the shrubs, especially untended plants. Left alone, the shrubs would invade natural areas and kill native plants.
The result of the widespread findings was that Burning Bush was determined to be an extremely invasive species and its importation was banned by Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, among other states, according to the reports.
Nonetheless, preexisting plants here remain popular among many gardeners and landscape designers, especially for use as colorful privacy hedges. Here’s another bush on the same property as the one shown above:
As you see, the bushes are at the edge of a major highway, blocking residential views from – and of – traffic.(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on October 12, 2022.)