"Battling Bittersweet" Work Day Exceeds Goals!

Congratulations to the nearly 80 intrepid bittersweet battlers who worked on September 28th at Riverfront Park!

The results exceeded all expectations, with 100% completion of the planned area. Many non-invasive plants were revealed under the vine cover, struggling to survive. They will provide an excellent basis for the restoration of the understory.

In addition to the original work site, a number of battlers moved to the tree nursery and removed bittersweet from the collection of beneficial trees in the nursery that are awaiting replanting in different areas of town (for more information on the tree project CLICK HERE ).

Everyone enjoyed removing vines from the majestic trees and native plants in the work area, knowing they have saved them from a long slow death by bittersweet. It was also a real pleasure to hear the positive comments and appreciation expressed by people using the walking path adjacent to the site.


Above: Just one of the many Work Day debris piles.
The rings on many vines indicated over 30 years of growth.
We saw enough tree and habitat destruction to believe it!

The highest kudos and thanks to every volunteer, to the Parks and Recreation Department, and to Greg Foran and his crew who helped with vine cutting and worked hard to carefully and sparingly treat the cut stumps of the vines. It was a great day!

Running Bamboo- New CT Law to Take Effect 10/1/13

Connecticut has enacted a new law regarding running bamboo which includes the following provisions (bold and underline added):

"No person who plants running bamboo or who allows running bamboo to be planted on his or her property shall permit such bamboo to grow beyond the boundaries of his or her property. On and after October 1, 2013, any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be liable for any damages caused to any neighboring property by such bamboo, including, but not limited to, the cost of removal of any running bamboo that grew beyond the boundaries of his or her property."

The following is excerpted from an AP release:

The new law creates setbacks from property lines and containment requirements for those who plant the fast-growing plant. It also requires retail sellers to provide information to people who purchase the variety of bamboo, including methods to contain it. The legislation is scheduled to take effect on Oct. 1.

Local zoning enforcement officers and other staff will have the authority to enforce the new restrictions. Failure to comply with the law could result in a $100 fine.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Other Resources:

CT Senate Bill 1016, Public Act 13-82 (full text of the new law)

WTNH News Report

CT Legislative Research Report

Mulch and Nursery Stock: Infestation Risks

Two often overlooked sources of oriental bittersweet infestation are mulch and nursery stock. This subject came up at a recent discussion among several Bittersweet Battlers and it was remarkable how common the problem is.

Mulch:

The problem occurs when the mulch being applied to a garden or around trees and shrubs is of low quality and contains "whatever went into the chipper." This can include bittersweet vines with seeds intact. The seeds can survive the chipping process and will appear in the spring as seedlings.

Many property owners allow their landscape or tree service to chip cut wood on site and blow it into a "mulch pile" which is then used around the yard. Any bittersweet berries that were in the debris will cause problems.

Even when bittersweet is disposed of in the brush pile at the landfill, if there are berries on the vines they can end up in the "free mulch" pile after brush is run through the chipper. When that happens the free mulch is no bargain.

Several Bittersweet Battlers have also noted persistent bittersweet infestations that originated in mulched areas on the grounds of commercial properties. This can be a problem when property managers and/or landscape service providers don't spot the infestation or don't know how to identify oriental bittersweet.

You may never quite be sure if your oriental bittersweet came from a passing bird or from infested mulch because mulch is typically spread under trees and shrubs frequented by birds.

The lessons are: Know where your mulch came from, and avoid mulch that was chipped from land clearing debris. Be especially careful of material that was chipped after mid-July. If the chips are from your own property be sure no berry-laden bittersweet goes into the chipper. Use high quality mulch. Poor quality mulch attracts insects and promotes disease. Putting down too much mulch ("mulch volcanos") will ultimately damage trees.

Nursery Stock:

Some nursery growing areas are infested with oriental bittersweet. As a result when plants are dug and balled there can be bittersweet seeds, plants or root segments that can sprout when you plant the tree or shub on your property. As you plant any new tree or shub look for the telltale orange roots of oriental bittersweet and gently pull them loose if you can, without damaging the tree or shrub's root system. Check the new plant periodically for any oriental bittersweet sprouts.

Hartford Courant Publicizes 9/28/13 Work Day

Peter Marteka of The Hartford Courant published an excellent article on the Glastonbury Partners in Planting "Battling Bittersweet" Work Day scheduled for September 28, 2013 at Riverfront park. Thanks Peter!

Link to the article here.

Link to Work Day volunteer registration information here.

August Invasives Journal

There were three very noticeable developments with Glastonbury's damaging plants as August came to an end:

First, the Japanese knotweed is in full bloom and you can see it along the road in many areas. This is a highly invasive plant (see earlier post on Japanese knotweed, and YouTube video for more info). Here's what to look for in late August and early September:

Next, invasive oriental bittersweet berries are starting to turn from green to orange. If you cut bittersweet vines with berries any time after mid-July be sure to dispose of the vines somewhere the seeds will not germinate and appear in the spring as seedlings. These berries have matured enough to have viable seeds:

 

Finally, wild grape vine (not an invasive plant but can be destructive to trees) is showing its "tree carpet" appearance in areas where growth is unmanaged:

It's never too late to start managing invasives on your property!