Persistence and hard work: HCT volunteers battle invasive plants that threaten holly trees

Invasive plants never take a day off. They are virtuosos of an encroach and conquer technique that can clog woodlands, yards and open space of any kind, crowding out native species and causing vegetative chaos. It takes bravery, persistence and a heck of a lot of hard work to tangle with these resilient rowdies.

That’s where courageous Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) volunteers come in. Armed with loppers, saws and the strength of their nature-preserving convictions, these heroes head out on a regular basis, bringing good cheer and great results to a tall task. Led by HCT Director of Land Stewardship Connor O’Brien, these crews face down invasive plants with steely-eyed resolve.

According to the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, invasive exotic plants “have been purposefully or unintentionally introduced into an area where they are not native.” They can “spread rapidly, become difficult to control or eradicate, and degrade our natural plant communities by outcompeting native species for resources.”

Invasion of the English ivy

This week, the HCT posse tussled with a classic invader. An onslaught of English ivy was threatening a holly grove in the yard of an HCT-owned house on Long Road (nicknamed Holly Knoll). Sure, the glossy leaves look good, but the creeping vines can smother trees.

While O’Brien and his team spend a lot of time clearing trails and enhancing habitats by battling invasive plants at HCT’s larger conservation areas, there is also work to be done on smaller HCT properties, which are often located in neighborhoods. And that’s prime territory for English ivy on the loose.

“It’s such a common decorative ground cover, but it spreads like crazy when it’s not kept in check” said O’Brien. “It can be a big problem in our neighborhood properties.”

Hand-pulling is an effective control method for English ivy, so volunteers were yanking out huge strands of vines from below the holly trees and piling them up like woody vermicelli. They also removed some lower branches on the trees to allow mower access for easier maintenance of the grove.

Yards and open spaces in neighborhoods can provide an important resource for animals. “It’s like a small refuge for wildlife in our suburban habitat,” said O’Brien.

HCT’s “Homes for Habitat” program

The home that the volunteers were working at was generously donated to HCT by Bill and Judy Shinkwin about ten years ago. This kind act spurred the creation of HCT’s “Homes for Habitat” giving opportunity.

The donation of a home that is no longer needed or wanted creates a variety of options for HCT and its land-saving work. Depending on the donor’s interest with Homes for Habitat, the gift can be during their lifetime, by bequest in a donor’s will or through a reserved life estate. Gift flexibility is a key component to this initiative, which allows HCT to: 

—lease the house for income

—provide housing for HCT staff or interns

—“un-develop” the house to restore wildlife habitat

—or sell the house using the proceeds to preserve other important natural land

For more information about the Homes for Habitat opportunity, please contact HCT Executive Director Michael Lach at mike@harwichconservationtrust.org.

To read a great story by writer Susanna Graham Pye about the history of Holly Knoll and why Bill & Judy Shinkwin donated their Cape home to HCT, click here: Homes for Habitat The Shinkwins’ Gift of Holly Knoll – Harwich Conservation Trust.

Meanwhile, if you cross paths with Connor and his merry band of dedicated HCT volunteers sprucing up your local conservation lands, give them a hearty hello and thank you for work well done!

—Sign up for HCT eNews, a great way to stay in the loop about exciting HCT events, guided walks and other interesting news.

—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.