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Trim and Bare It
Fall and winter are great times to cut tree-climbing invasive vines. These vines compete with a tree’s foliage for sunlight, blocking photosynthesis and robbing it of its ability to capture deadly carbon emissions. Vines can add significant weight or start to girdle a tree when climbing to the top, eventually damaging the overall native canopy and killing the tree. Dense vines in tree canopies also provide habitat for ticks. Some invasive vine culprits to look for are porcelain berry, mile-a-minute, and oriental bittersweet.
How to cut tree-climbing vines:
1. First, cut the vine at the base of the tree. Depending on the thickness of the vine, you may need clippers or a small hand saw.
2. Make a second cut, about 24" further up the vine.
3. Repeat around the tree.
4. DO NOT pull vines down from the tree (or any other structure for that matter). This may damage the tree and cause dead branches to fall. The vines will eventually decompose naturally.
5. In the spring, vines you missed will be easy to spot with their sprouting leaves, which you may promptly cut.
6. Pull or dig out any new small vines you see appearing at the base of the tree.
Remember, native trees not only provide us with shade in the summer, but are vital food and shelter for our pollinators creating Meadows in the Sky!
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