A group of volunteers is planning an Arbor Day event in St. Joseph to spread awareness about invasive plants and to remove them. Carla Sykora is the coordinator for Free Our Trees, a grassroots organization that’s sprung up in regards to Oriental bittersweet. She tells us it can be found all over the area.
“It’s the type of vine that once it grows, it needs to climb to the sun, it climbs up the tree, it twists around the tree in various ways, weakens the tree, and eventually kills it,” Sykora said.
Sykora started Free Our Trees and put out the word on social media getting several responses from people who had also noticed the spreading vine.
“Once you’re looking for it, you’ll see. The trees are just draped with these vines. Some times of the year, you’ll see red berries, and then you’ll see trees that are just snapped off in half.”
The group will meet at Knauf Park in Saint Joseph Township on Arbor Day, April 29, to learn about invasive plants and to pull some from the park. Sykora says everyone’s invited and she hopes the effort will continue. The volunteers will meet at the Vineland entrance to the park and be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They have the blessing of St. Joseph Township officials. Everyone is invited to come and learn more.
