An important parable. It got me thinking about the most notable invasive species of the American South: the Japanese vine called kudzu. In the North Georgia mountains where my extended family lives, the common solution is to simply burn the kudzu off of hills and fields once a year; but where it begins overtaking the woods, there's really nothing to be done. I don't usually see kudzu in our part of Virginia, but 2-3 hours' drive South of here we reach what my kids call "Ghostland," where the woods along the highway are so covered with kudzu that the trees look like sheeted phantoms. How long until the kudzu reaches us? Ten years? Twenty? It's definitely coming.
Indeed, I have heard horror stories about that plant. In the UK our equivalent is Himalayan Balsam which takes over river banks albeit (and thankfully!) not as impressively as Kudzu
I'm a forester in Tennessee, and we are experimenting with fencing covered areas and putting cows or goats on them. We often get stuck using herbicide, which is less than ideal and it still takes years to get rid of the kudzu.
Oh, bunches. Tennessee has a diversity of ecological regions with their own sets of problems. Most often we deal with tree of heaven (ailanthus), royal empress (paulownia), autumn olive, kudzu, multiflora rose, Japanese stiltgrass, bush honeysuckle, etc.
Some natives can exhibit invasive tendencies in some situations too, like yellow-poplar or red maple in clearcuts on productive soils, or black locust on reclaimed mine lands—which the eastern half of Tennessee has a lot of.
Fascinating, thanks Wayne. It is always interesting to hear from experts in the field, and also to see what invasives other countries have to deal with. Over here, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, and giant hogweed are the main plants of issue and also Rhododendron.
You're welcome, Hadden! I can't really say I'm an expert though. Only a few years in the field. I definitely enjoy hearing about the perspectives of people far away like yourself.
There was an amusing segment of Gardeners World some time ago about a gardener who has a ‘plant jail’ section of his garden for all the thugs. If I remember correctly, he has it guarded by cactus.
An important parable. It got me thinking about the most notable invasive species of the American South: the Japanese vine called kudzu. In the North Georgia mountains where my extended family lives, the common solution is to simply burn the kudzu off of hills and fields once a year; but where it begins overtaking the woods, there's really nothing to be done. I don't usually see kudzu in our part of Virginia, but 2-3 hours' drive South of here we reach what my kids call "Ghostland," where the woods along the highway are so covered with kudzu that the trees look like sheeted phantoms. How long until the kudzu reaches us? Ten years? Twenty? It's definitely coming.
Indeed, I have heard horror stories about that plant. In the UK our equivalent is Himalayan Balsam which takes over river banks albeit (and thankfully!) not as impressively as Kudzu
I'm a forester in Tennessee, and we are experimenting with fencing covered areas and putting cows or goats on them. We often get stuck using herbicide, which is less than ideal and it still takes years to get rid of the kudzu.
That sounds like a great idea. I know that goats are sometimes used around here to clear underbrush.
I feel you on the pains of renting! Invasive species too—much of my professional life is spent dealing with exotic invasive species.
What invasives do you have to deal with Wayne?
Oh, bunches. Tennessee has a diversity of ecological regions with their own sets of problems. Most often we deal with tree of heaven (ailanthus), royal empress (paulownia), autumn olive, kudzu, multiflora rose, Japanese stiltgrass, bush honeysuckle, etc.
Some natives can exhibit invasive tendencies in some situations too, like yellow-poplar or red maple in clearcuts on productive soils, or black locust on reclaimed mine lands—which the eastern half of Tennessee has a lot of.
Fascinating, thanks Wayne. It is always interesting to hear from experts in the field, and also to see what invasives other countries have to deal with. Over here, Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed, and giant hogweed are the main plants of issue and also Rhododendron.
You're welcome, Hadden! I can't really say I'm an expert though. Only a few years in the field. I definitely enjoy hearing about the perspectives of people far away like yourself.
Culture - it’s that word and all that’s in it for good or for bad. We’re being led by the nose in a bad direction.
There was an amusing segment of Gardeners World some time ago about a gardener who has a ‘plant jail’ section of his garden for all the thugs. If I remember correctly, he has it guarded by cactus.