November 26, 2024

Wear long sleeves, long pants, work gloves, and protective eye wear. Consider using an insect repellant for exposed skin. Bring hand pruners, loppers and an axe if you have one.

This Month's Invasive Species Wintercreeper and English Ivy

Wintercreeper

First introduced to the US from China in 1907 as a ground cover (picture 1), Wintercreeper spread beyond gardens into natural areas. The ground cover grows upward, and sends out aerial rootlets (like hair) that allow it to attach to the tree (picture 2) and climb upward. The vine dominates trees (picture 3) and shrubs in its path, slowing killing the trees by covering branches and foliage. The vine produces small red berries that birds eat and spread throughout the woodland (picture 4)

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 2

English Ivy  

A non-native plant that was introduced to America by European colonists in 1727, English Ivy soon escaped into natural areas and is now destroying trees and woodlands across the US. It is highly shade tolerant and starts as thick ground cover before climbing trees. English Ivy can completely cover the forest floor, crowding out good plants, before climbing as high as 90 ft to overtop trees. It can reach the highest branches, covering foliage and prevent photosynthesis (photo 1 and 2). As you have likely seen along Barracks Rd. and Ivy Rd., English Ivy can destroy a stand of trees over several years. It also produces berries that can be spread (picture 3).

Photo 3