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The summer that I go to war

When I first moved into my house some five, nearly six year ago, one of the first things I noticed was that we had a tree out back that was nearly strangled by an invasive woody vine called Oriental Bittersweet.  At the time I didn't think much about it as other more pressing problems, like a new roof and insulated windows, came first.  Other problems and projects kept pushing that "little issue" back onto the corners of my mind.   Small "little issues" tend to become bigger ones. 

Oriental Bittersweet

That's the problem with home ownership, their is always "one more project."  One more bill.


I was considering where to plant the Pawpaw and new Bur Oak  and this corner seemed to be a very good option.  That's when I noticed my problem,  I have several Multiflora Rosa growing in my "wilds" and one that somehow I've missed over the last few years, it's become rather well established.  

The Oriental Bittersweet was reaching out and affecting some smaller understory trees and shrubs as well, so that required attention sooner than later and several of the smaller bushes were already dead.  As the photo below shows, it's tangled up pretty well with the other plants.  


While I'm not 100% sure at this time, I may have dreaded Tree of Heaven as well.  Although I must state that I've not seen any spotted lantern flies either.  None the less, if I do have the tries or the flies, it has to die. 

In any case, it may be in my best interest to try and identify everything that is growing in my "wilds" as well as the thick woods behind it.  For example, I found more Oriental Bittersweet and Poison Oak as well.

I'm actually wondering if it would be better to have a professional forester come in and cut down the largest tree that is covered in Bittersweet, as there is a very high chance that it could either take out my shed, or perhaps even hit the house if it should fall.  The Multiflora Rosa is NOT an easy plant to remove, and like I said, I can at least identify five clumps of them, of which at least one is well established and at least two are "somewhat" established.  

As the video shows, chemical treatments can certainly help but I hate to resort to any sort of chemicals.  Although in this case, it may be the best place to start.  


These two plants are true invasives, and I've little doubt that somehow I've let others into the fold either from my own ignorance or failure to properly identify them in a timely manner.  It's also been suggested to me by native plant groups in the area that I leave the multiflora rosa alone UNTIL the flowers drop off as a boom to pollinators in the area.  Then to do everything that I can to kill the F*cker.

I have so much to learn, and so little time to accomplish anything.   So I will do what I can and hope for the best and will not try to feel overwhelmed by all of this.  The least I can do is the best that I can do and keep striving to move forward with what I have.  

At least now I have resources that I feel that I didn't have before.  



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Location: Stoneboro, PA 16153, USA

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