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turbo_tpl

Anyone else despair about invasives?

turbo_tpl
18 years ago

I'm getting quite depressed about the state of invasive plants here in Virginia. I bought six acres with the hopes of removing invasives and establishing an enclave full of native trees, shrubs, forbs, and wildflowers.

What I got is land that is so full of invasive seeds and plants, that if I clear a three foot patch in April with the intent of establishing Jack in the pulpits, by July it is choked with Japanese stiltgrass. I kill an ailanthus, and garlic mustard moves in. I remove an Oriental bittersweet, and a Japanese honeysuckle moves in. All I'm doing is twirling in circles, but not getting anywhere.

From what I've seen, VA is pretty well ruined with respect to the native forestlands. It would take significant manpower just to keep one acre in pristine condition.

What hope have we for the land as a whole, particularly when new invasives are coming in continually?

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