Meet the Slayer of Invaders

Admire, if you will, the newest addition to my tool collection, the amazing Whatchamacallit.  Lately it's been the perfect tool for removing two of the worst invaders in the wooded valley in back of my house - multiflora rose and greenbriar.  Boyoboy it's gratifying to dig out crappy plants like these, roots and all, knowing they'll finally be gone, at least for a while.   

If these horrible plants are new to you, I'll just say that multiflora rose isn't as nice as it sounds.  It's truly one of those "alien invaders" we're always hearing about.  Greenbriar, on the other hand, is something we almost never hear about - the native invader.  In fact, many native plant advocates, especially the newly converted, will tell you that by definition, native plants can do no wrong.  Well, somebody forgot to tell that to the greenbriar because, in the words of an astonished neighbor of mine, it "behaves really badly."  To wit:  smothering our beloved native woodland azaleas and any other desireable plants struggling to out-compete the junk plants that dominate this ecological mishmash.  The explanation may have to do with all the other factors that have changed in the last 500 years since European invasion (and aren't we the worst invaders of all?) Maybe its competitors or the animals that eat it have become extinct, though it's hard to imagine an animal eating this prickly, disgusting plant.  Here it is, though you'll have to imagine it even uglier and totally covering large shrubs and small trees.

Whatever their origin or the cause of their misbehavior, winter's a great time to get rid of them and did I mention how satisfying it is?

Comments

[Pam L]

I checked this invader out and saw it has come as far west as Kansas, but has not broken into any of the western states as yet. Perhaps it needs more moisture and cannot make it to the rainy northwest without it? The bane of my existence for invading is the bindweed. It can lay dormant under this horrible clay soil, 4 to 5 feet deep lurking, waiting for the chance to come up to the surface and strangle everything in sight. But, at least it doesn't have thorns.

[Heather]

I saw someone using one of those tools on TV yesterday to dig a little trench for some hardscaping and thought, "That looks like a useful tool!" Speak of the devil! Must remember that one. I don't need it here but I will someday in some other house.

[Meredith]

There is an invisible line, somewhere around the Mason Dixon that dictates which of the two thorny nightmares dominates. Multiflora to the north and Smilax (Greenbriar) to the south. I hate the word Smilax because it makes you think that while you are trying to unentangle your bleeding leg from it's tenacious grip, it's smirking at you. Any wetland jobs in MD or DE gave me the shudders...land of Greenbriar.

[Don]

Oh, how many times have I ripped up my legs on Greenbriar, walking innocently through the woods while wearing shorts... how many times have I driven one of its thorns deep into my finger while pulling weeds? It is a hateful, vile thing. If a plant can be called malevolent, this is it.
Don

[debra roby]

OO... my husband purchased a sister to that tool for me for our first anniversary! Twenty-two years later, and it's still my favorite garden tool.

[Judith]

Unfortunately, these Horrible Plants are familiar to me. And yes, 'tis the season to head out there before things leaf out & try to get them--where to begin, that is the question? And the thorny ones...ouch! It can be an endless battle.

[Sonia]

Thank you so much Susan, for your visit and gentle comment on my blog! I appreciate it so much!

[Kathy Jentz]

I've been calling this one "cat briar" - and coincidentally it is our "WeedWatch" focus in the next issue of the magazine - I'd like to quote you Susan on your battle with it. As in my research so far have found no permanent way that anyone has to get rid of it.

In my own yard, it is was a nightmare to remove it the summer I moved in. When it pops up sporadically now in my deep shade by the gazebo, I just cut it as close to the ground as I can and hope the surrounding groundcovers smother it all eventually.