Controlling Arlington Invasives This Fall

To help you plan your invasives removal work, here's a list of the most common Arlington invasives that have set seed in the Fall or still have above ground vegetation. Removing the seed-bearing branches can prevent build up in the seed bank. So you have time to help your yard and Arlington parks / open space before winter.

Target FALL Invasives

Roundleaf Bittersweet (formerly Oriental bittersweet): The berries of Roundleaf Bittersweet have now opened their yellow capsules to reveal the soft red berries within. You still have a chance to prevent further spread next spring. Get the berries off of female plants first, dig out roots before hard frost, and help the ArMI in the bittersweet brigade this winter! We will cut big vines for as long as the weather allows.

And more info: This Invasive has both male and female plants.

First priority is always to remove berries which progress in color from green to a yellow outer capsule to an orange-red soft inner fruit by Fall. Bittersweet berries at Turkey Hill: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/141808750

Bittersweet rather innocently enters yards under bushes and hedges when birds eat Fall berries and deposit seeds where they roost. It’s best to get it out young when hand pulling is easy.
Here’s what young bittersweet looks like: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185164652 .

Bittersweet becomes extremely problematic if not removed early. There are many examples in Arlington of monstrous thick vines winding around trees, weighing down branches, and ultimately strangling and killing them. Old vines at McClennen Park: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150492165

Mature bittersweet is best clipped with loppers and dug out by roots if not in conservation areas. Extra time spent removing roots at the start saves much time in the long run.

Invasive Knotweed - Knotweed vegetation hasn't yet died back, so digging out by the roots can still reduce a stand. Cutting this time of year will be unlikely to have much effect, since knotweed will soon die completely back for the winter. Remember, if you find knotweed in your yard away from wetlands, streams and ponds. DIG IT OUT with a strong shovel, or cut it multiple times throughout the growing season, starting in June, after it uses up stored energy to push out 4-6 ft canes.

What about the other Arlington invasives?

Though now is not the optimal time to remove, some actions can still be taken.

Black swallowwort: This vine is now past the optimal control months of June through early September. But if you earlier cut back the vines to remove pods, there's still a window of time to remove the roots before hard frost.

Bittersweet nightshade: The berries have mostly ripened and seeds dropped by late Oct / early Nov. But the stems and leaves are still present, so pull them if you see them. What does this plant look like? Dark green deeply notched leaves are often found with a three-part form somewhere on the plant, the purple flowers with yellow tongues sticking out of the flower, and bright red ripe berries. ( https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178719057 ). Check near rock walls, sidewalks, and in hedges. This invasive seems to like more alkaline conditions.

Asiatic Dayflower: Asiatic dayflower is an annual, so it has mostly done it's seed distribution for the year. It is still green in spots with withered flowers. Pulling now might capture some remaining seeds in the withered flowers, but just remember not to put the material in Fall compost. It should be black bagged and marked as "Invasive weeds".
Remember: This short rather cute annual with gorgeous blue flowers is deceptive. Wherever it gains a toehold, it completely covers the landscape, preventing other vegetation from germinating. It's satisfying to weed out because it's easy to pull. See examples of how this invasive completely takes over an area by visiting the bike path at Bow St. and Frazer Lane in Arlington. It flowers all summer long into November, so monthly weeding is best.

iNaturalist Links:
Blackswallow-wort at Frazer and Mill Lane: - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=42.42691328029149&nelng=-71.17663531970851&place_id=any&swlat=42.4242153197085&swlng=-71.17933328029152&taxon_id=208963&user_id=ecrow&verifiable=any

Asiatic Dayflower at Frazer/Mill Lane: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=42.42691328029149&nelng=-71.17663531970851&place_id=any&swlat=42.4242153197085&swlng=-71.17933328029152&taxon_id=52927&user_id=ecrow&verifiable=any

Bittersweet nightshade at Ryder St.: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=42.42660718029149&nelng=-71.17251691970849&place_id=any&swlat=42.42390921970849&swlng=-71.1752148802915&taxon_id=55620&user_id=ecrow&verifiable=any

Knotweed at Frazer/Bow: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=42.42691328029149&nelng=-71.17663531970851&place_id=any&swlat=42.4242153197085&swlng=-71.17933328029152&taxon_id=914922&user_id=ecrow&verifiable=any

Posted on July 20, 2023 07:42 PM by ecrow ecrow

Posted on 07 de novembro de 2023, 07:08 PM by

ecrow

Controlling Arlington Invasives This Fall

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