Update - Weatherstone Trail Vine Removal a Success!
Huge gratitude to the nature lovers who helped care for the woods along the Weatherstone Trail in a snowstorm on Saturday afternoon, March 26. We were rewarded for our efforts by finding blooming spicebush, wild columbine, white avens, and baby trees under the honeysuckle and prickers that were choking the trees.
Caring for trees is one of the most wonderful ways to spend time; it is meditative and nourishing to the spirit. When 3pm rolled around and it was time to quit, no one wanted to go, so we worked and enjoyed the quiet for another hour.
This woodland protects the headwaters of one of the three streams that converge to form the Birch Run. There are many invasive plants strangling young native trees, bushes, and flowers right along the paved trail, so we didn’t have to stray off the path to gently remove them.
Trees provide so many services to our community (stormwater management, temperature moderation, removing pollution from air and water, promoting and protecting biodiversity, producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide), and they are struggling. Adult trees are challenged with invasive insects, invasive vines, and severe storms. Young trees are challenged with these issues, plus they are a favorite food of deer, and they often end up being eaten. Removing vines removes one of these stressors. Without the weight of the vines, the trees stand a better chance of withstanding severe storms.
Our next tree tending event will be to celebrate Earth Day by caring for the tree tube planting at Opalanie Park on Saturday, April 23 at 10 a.m. (raindate, April 24). There will also be an opportunity for a nature walk and invasive plant removal.
These events are organized by the West Vincent Environmental Advisory Club. Contact Donna Delany, d.delany@comcast.net to join our Nature Lovers Club and stay up to date with our projects that give nature a helping hand.