.jpg)
March 3, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Trees – their benefits and concerns for their health – have been the topic of recent letters to the editor. And so the Rockbridge Area Master Gardeners (RAMGA) and the Lexington city arborist are teaming up to save city trees.
Trees not only provide shade and beauty, they improve air quality, slow storm run-off, support birds, reduce folks’ stress levels, and improve overall health in children, all while reducing air conditioning bills and increasing property values up to 15%.
Non-native vines are threatening the health and beauty of our trees. These vines wrap around trunks and strangle trees, climb up trees using suckers that sap the trees’ nutrients, or smother trees with their foliage.
Celia Raney, Lexington’s city arborist, finds, “In nearly every consult in Lexington, I talk with residents about the harm the invasive vines are causing their trees … it’s the main issue most residents face.”
One homeowner on Main Street took prompt action to remove ivy and save their trees. Another homeowner removed ivy for the safety of her new puppy. “When I decided to get a puppy, I scoured the yard for plants that might be poisonous and found ivy growing up a couple of trees ... The leaves of some ivies can cause excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, a swollen mouth and tongue, and difficulty breathing.”
The city arborist and RAMGA are providing a flier in residents’ water bill with pictures and names of these invasive vines and information on removal. They’ll find a QR code with links to resources on RAMGA’s Invasive Plants webpage and contact information for the arborist and RAMGA - both are happy to do a homesite visit.
This spring and fall, RAMGA will also hold inperson demonstrations on vine removal. Dates will be posted in the calendar of events at RAMGA.org/ public-calendar and on social media. JAN SMITH RAMGA’s Invasive Species Education Project
