Most notably we have already cut the ivy growing on trees on nearly ten acres in the last few weeks, with a target of covering 50 more acres by the end of summer. The recent work was accomplished on ridges and in ravines running from the bicycle path toward Tryon Creek, north of the houses that adjoin the Park west of Terwilliger. The trees in that area were originally "saved" about eight years ago. Since ivy, once cut, regrows about ten feet a year, it was time to save those trees gain. Our small cadre of weekday and Sunday volunteers will continue working in the area between Iron Mtn. and Old Main trails for some weeks to come.
While cutting ivy on trees we found and hopefully eradicated two patches of mature clematis. Although we've cleared most mature clematis patches in the Park, it's inevitable that we will find a few when we return to areas that we've ignored for eight years. Since clematis may grow over fifty feet in a single year it can take over a site rather quickly in that time.
As the boggy area in the middle of the N Horse Loop has also begun drying, I've resumed digging up Himalayan blackberries there. That project was halted early last winter when the site got too soggy. Blackberry removal there is a preamble to ivy pulling, so that work will follow.
One person has been helping me with with ground ivy maintenance (second pass) inside the N Horse Loop, while a few groups did initial pulling in the same general area, near the middle of the loop. As the ground dries further most group work will shift to ravines until fall rains drive us off them.
(Submitted by Guest Blogger Phil Hamilton)
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