Lance Wildwood wrote:First off Pseudoscience...
Does this mean that you dismiss the entire idea of invasive species causing environmental degradation ? Are the millions spent controlling invasives during tree planting completely unnecessary expenditures that planters have been duped into believing will help. Did I imagine the huge areas of parkland that have been overrun with ivy ?
Are my photos faked ? ... -----
Concerning broom, I had about 2 km of it along a roadside which branched out to the point where any vehicle would be scratched up even when driving down the centre. It also made it impossible to discern where the road dropped off abruptly. If I were to get a wheel over this cliff, I could conceivably tumble to the valley floor. I got it under control and used it as
mulch to favour
trees that now shade much of the area. I agree that it
should not be uprooted or burned.
Part of my deal with tenants on this property prescribes eviction for planting certain invasive species. There's a new one. Invasive species can render you homeless, just as they effectively do to many wild critters who find them unsuitable to their needs.
To any of our members in Oregon --- Please post a photo showing what ivy has done to your corner of the world. The cost of cleaning up Oregon's park lands would eat up the entire state budget for years and even then might fail. While we're at it, feel free to post a picture of range
land overrun with tumbleweed, a lake choked with
water hyacinth or a spot where your neighbour's bamboo is coming up through your asphalt. Let us know how much of this stuff you eat or use for any other purpose that isn't
compost. How much area has been invaded and how many hours per year do you spend managing the problem ?
On the edible issue --- While it's true that there are plenty of edible weeds out there, they currently make up about 1% of my diet. That puts me near the top in this regard as most people eat none. The only invasive that is widely eaten around here is the Himalaya blackberry. When used as animal forage, it is possible to gain some significant benefit from a few invasive plants. The quantity currently eaten by humans in North American is a very small slice of the total biomass involved.
This thread started out as a challenge to put these species to productive use. It's not about eradicating them. Since the original posting, I have earned about $1000 in controlling them and I've eaten probably 150 pounds of berries, mint and wild fruits. If I'm able to sell the various tools that I'm making, more money will be earned. My road is now passable and broom on hot, dry slopes is managed for its nitrogen value.
I keep a large area of ocean view parkland clear of ivy by girdling the tree trunks, but I have no
plans to attempt total eradication on my own. If you're in Victoria, check out the ocean side park between the Terry Fox statue and Cook St. Ivy is slowly closing in along the ground. My efforts have saved the
canopy with extra effort given to the areas of Gary Oak that were completely engulfed and dying 10 years ago. When I started, it was difficult to walk amongst these trees or even to tell if they were still alive.
Since I don't have a degree in ivyology, my efforts are no doubt driven by pure pseudoscience fueled hysteria. :
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The trees would have done just fine in windy conditions under tons of tightly wrapped vines without light and deprived of water.