The Van Buren Conservation District and the Southwest by Southwest CISMA are telling southwest Michigan residents how to spot invasive vines that could be choking out native plants. The CISMA says there are four invasive vines that have been found in the area. They are lack swallow-wort, Chinese yam, Kudzu, and Oriental Bittersweet. The CISMA’s Eleanor Serocki tells us those vines are obvious throughout the year, meaning even now is a good time to keep an eye out. We have pictures of all of them at WSJM.com. Serocki says native vines are important in our forests for a lot of reasons, from soil stabilization to pollinator habitat, but the invasive ones typically take over and damage trees, shrubs, and fences. Anyone looking for more information should call the Van Buren Conservation District.
