[Magdalen] In the jungle

[Cantor03 at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/7/2015 12:27:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
charles.wohlers at verizon.net writes:

Haven't  seen pokeweed in Vermont. It does exist in Massachusetts, but 
isn't  
generally a problem. Now, Japanese knotweed and multiflora rose, OTOH  
...>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
 
It's interesting to see what various states list for "invasive  trees".
 
Several US states, including Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, list the
Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) as "invasive", the implication being
that such trees should be weeded out.
 
But why?  These pines are an attractive and long lived species
that are valuable for pulpwood, and if allowed to get large, for
construction.  They colonize abandoned fields, often those  stripped
by coal mining.  They prosper despite growing on rock and
gravel which they tolerate because of their supportive microrhiza.
The pines are not crowding out any native species. 
 
So let them invade!
 
 
David Strang.