Hello and Happy May! Has spring arrived yet where you live? Are you seeing lots of spring flowers?
Did you recognize the vine in last week’s puzzler? It is Oriental Bittersweet, a vine that will take over and strangle trees in no time. Yesterday while I was out I noticed this vine wrapped tightly around a small Beauty Berry tree I have in my side yard. The vine was easily winning the fight, wrapped tightly around the thin branches and rapidly moving up the tree. Thankfully I noticed it in time, pulling the 3 strong lines from the ground and tossing it on the brush pile.
Oriental Bittersweet can climb trees up to 100 feet tall. It does this by wrapping tightly around the trunk and moving upwards. It is not a plant you want to encourage in your yard.
This vine was introduced in the 1860’s as an ornamental and erosion control plant. It spreads easily as birds eat and then poop out the berries. The seeds are said to have a 95% germination rate!
Our next puzzler is also a vine, and this one I’m SURE you’ve seen. Have a great weekend! Stay safe and I’ll see you again soon.
Vanquish the barbarian invaders!!