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| And the winners for “Most Controversial Invaders” are
Winged Euonymus (euonymus alatus) and Japanese
Barberry (berberis thunergii). |
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picture: winged euonymus
escaping through a fence on Morgan Street, Stamford CT
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The controversy: These two shrubs are found along
virtually all suburban streets and in only too many
industrial parks. Unfortunately, they are also
equally at home in our remaining wild lands. Some
invaders (e.g loosestrife) that have are so
widespread that discouraged environmentalists talk
of “control” rather than “eradication”. However,
many believe that it’s not too late to save the
woods from this duo IF we weren’t combating constant
re-introduction from the gardens.
The conservationists want to ban new sales
of both bushes but the nurseries (and many
are small, local businesses) would take a
big financial hit. They point out that the
newer cultivars are not showing up in the
woods. Well, that made be true, but the
conservationists believe that the hybrids’
seeds are reverting to the older types.
Further, they say, an effective clean up
can’t happen without a massive, voluntary
re-landscaping effort, and how realistic is
that? (Thought: if there was such a
re-landscaping, the nurseries would get to
sell the replacements!)KNOW THE ENEMY:
BARBERRY
Barberry is a lovely, if thorny, small shrub
(6’ max.). It was imported from Asia in the
1800’s; it graced the front porch of the
house where I grew up. The original plant
had green tear-drop shaped leaves, delicate
yellow flowers in early spring, and
red berries in the fall. The hybrids
include
green-leafed varieties with blue or
yellow over-tones, and the very popular
burgundy-red version . If it doubt, you
can tell barberry by scratching through a
bit of the outer bark – the inner bark is
yellow; so are the roots. Barberry is often
hedge-clipped which can significantly reduce
seed production but unfortunately there’s
often a few left and hungry winter birds
will find them. |
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Picture:
Stamford apartment garden, Stamford 2004 |
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| KNOW THE ENEMY: WINGED EUONYMUS Winged euonymus,
imported from Asia in the mid-1800’s is famous for its
“corky wings” on the mature twigs and for its neon fall
color. A spring ID-point is the curvy shape of the new
twigs. Winged euonymus is particularly a problem in the wild
because it can grow to 15’ and its dense root mass kills
everything else, even its own babies. |
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| "Wings" |
Fall colors |
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picture: New twigs, Chester
Street, Stamford, April 2004 |
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Picture: winged euonymus
branch structure and flower, Chester Street, Stamford CT
2004 |
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| ERADICATING THE SHRUBS I know we can clean the
existing stuff out of the woods; I’ve done it. |
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picture: noted Stamford
conservationist
Jeff Cordulack, resting after our volunteer team cleared
several acres of open woods
in a land trust in North Stamford of both bushes in a day,
using only our hands and a chain saw for the few really big
ones. |
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Smaller plants can be hand pulled. If you
get them before this year’s seeds form,
simply up-end the plants in piles. This way,
the roots can’t re-attach and the brush
piles make good wildlife habitat. If there
are seeds present, seal in black plastic
bags and leave in the sun for a few months
to sterilize. You do need to check back for
several years for new babies from lingering
seeds and root fragments. Use a weed
wrench on larger bushes. A what? A weed
wrench is a very cool device invented by
some even cooler self-described “tree
people” who call themselves the “The New
Tribe”. It gives a small person the leverage
to take out a big shrub.
The big ones, however, have to be sawed
to the ground. (Guys: here’s your chance to
wield a chain saw!) But the roots will
re-sprout, so here’s an almost-justified use
of
'cides. They say that you can
effectively PAINT (not spray, PAINT!) a
small amount of “Bush-Be-Gon” or “Round-Up”
(forgive me if I get the names wrong – I
never use the stuff) on the stumps to kill
the roots. However, remember you’re handling
a DANGEROUS AND DEADLY POISON. So:
• Follow the label –the law says that you
have to exactly follow the directions on the
label.
• Buy the smallest possible amount so that
you don’t have left-overs creating a
hazardous waste problem.
• Dilute per the label – they say that too
strong a mix will kill the top of the root
without get all the way down.
• Use protective clothing, gloves, and
safety glasses, don’t spill any or let it
get down the drain, etc. |
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Picture: winged euonymus
sneaking into a small park on Chester Street, Stamford, CT,
Spring 2004 |
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