Just call us "Invasive Acres"

We have so many invasive plants on our property, its just a losing battle.......Much of our 30 acres is covered in bush honeysuckle....and now to add to that list.......hops vine, brambles, garlic mustard, wintercreeper euonymous, etc., etc. Some of this stuff we planted a long time ago (gotten from nurseries and the DNR) when they and we didn't know any better.

We don't use chemicals. DH tries to pull out as much as he can, but its become something we just can't fight any more. For every bush that's pulled out, hundreds grow the next spring. The birds love the berries. Some of the honeysuckle is 20' tall.
We're trying to approach this in a Zen sort of way. We're trying to look at it as evolution-in-progress.
But its really hard to see the original natives being suffocated out.
I just found wild ginger down by the creek recently. YAY! That's a good thing! But perhaps soon, the others will choke it out.

Its really hard accepting it, but.........its evolution, right? If these plants are stronger and more aggressive than the natives........then its bound to happen......as long as flora and fauna (and animals) are being brought over from other continents.
Seems like everything brought here from Asia is what is so invasive on our property. I think our temperature zone is the same as their's without the years to develop any balance.
Half of our property is green now, only from the honeysuckle.
We don't have the energy or the resources any more to fight this.
So, hopefully .............
mmmmmm.....we are one with the universe.......mmmmmmm.

I love Roundup, it keeps all of my invasives at bay.

But I perfectly understand that your place is huge and Roundup isn't practical. Guess you've got no other choice than to let them grow. When your plants cross our state line, I'll be standing there with my Roundup, ready to greet them. :)

:devil:I wish Roundup would work on this evil tree weed http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1699/ I've been fighting this "Paradise Tree/Heaven Tree" (more like "weed from Hell"):devil:

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Originally Posted by Float On

:devil:I wish Roundup would work on this evil tree weed http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1699/ I've been fighting this "Paradise Tree/Heaven Tree" (more like "weed from Hell"):devil:

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We had a mature tree like this in our yard when I was a kid. I guess the shoots were kept in check when we mowed the yard. I will say it was absolutely the best climbing tree I have ever seen. I lived in that tree all summer when I was 6 or 7 and hung out in it with friends even in HS. A quick Google Earth peek shows it is still there (40 years later). Kind of the ultimate version of one man's trash...

I volunteered at a Fen last fall after biking by and speaking to a person collecting seeds. She told me about the area and asked me join in the cleaning of the area. I knew about invasive plants, but not to this extent. It was overwhelming to me to see what needed to be removed from this area and why. I left feeling far different then I thought I would. I felt I would bond with the area, people, the saturday work, I was hoping this would be a calling for me. How I actually felt when I left was: What good it is going to do cleaning these acres, when the plants, brush and trees are everywhere. I bike the trails near the Fen and now I know the garlic mustard,honeysuckle and the rest that cover the trails should be removed, but by who? How can it be controlled if the general public does not know and thinks it is just pretty wild greens. I was so let down with myself, for the first time (ok not the first time) I realized I could not save the world.

I tend to think that nature has the upper hand on this. We are battling something called bastard cabbage here that is displacing many of the native wildflowers. Some are screaming pull it out and others are saying it might be nature's way of ameliorating the soil after the worst drought in history. Humans are always hoping to outwit Nature but don't forget - we are the most invasive species of all:)

...on overgrown meadows. Though I was at least 15 years younger then.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Float On

:devil:I wish Roundup would work on this evil tree weed http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1699/ I've been fighting this "Paradise Tree/Heaven Tree" (more like "weed from Hell"):devil:

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Oh those Aileanthus/stink trees are awful, hate the MF's. They are a bane to the urban landscape. Can't tell you how many I've pulled out of the foundation of my tiny houses. They grow in the gutters as well. I just pulled out a 2" one from the lawn this morning. Trees are The Enemy but Ailenanthus trees are The Despised Creatures From H*ll.

Thanks everyone,
Its funny how something can grow out of control in one area, but not 2 states over.
Since we can't possibly get rid of them all, I'm trying to think about the positive that they do.........like provide nesting and food for birds. I'm also hoping that they find that there is a life-saving medicine in their leaves and we can sell them. Yeah, like that's going to happen.
I either need to mount a full scale attack on them, which would cost thousands of dollars, or accept them. I think it will be the latter. Plus, the birds have populated this whole area with their seeds, so even if we got rid of them on our 33 acres, they are all over the county too. We will keep them out of the area around the house, and let the rest go.
Maybe the berries aren't poisonous and I can make and sell jam. I'll call it "Hell's berry jam". haha

Remember the old song "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one your with"? Well, maybe that applies to invasives too. ;)

When I lived in the Pacific NW I remember the problem with blackberries. Blackberries shove in whenever they can and can be such a chore to control. My sister's property has blackberries and through the years she and her husband have mowed them down to an acceptable/livable size but given a free minute or inch those blackberries will take it, and more. I think sometimes we do just have to accept our circumstances and make the best of it.

I like the idea of the "Hell's berry jam"!