Yes, we realize that princesses are usually a good thing (at least according to Disney), but when it comes to our natural world—not so much.
Therefore, our first Forest Keepers event of the season will focus on the removal of Princess trees in Linville Gorge. Princesses (Paulownia tomentosa) are non-native deciduous trees, which also happen to be the fastest growing trees in the world.
We’ll meet at 9 a.m. Oct. 19 at the Earth Fare in the Westgate Shopping Center and carpool to Linville Gorge from there.
We’ll hike into a Princess-tree infested site that the U.S. Forest Service recently found and will use handsaws and pruners to cut down the trees, and also collect this season’s seeds to keep them from further invading the site.
Many non-native invasive plants have faster growth rates and higher seed yields than native plants, and the competition for soil resources, light, and area is intense. Also, a number of these species are highly efficient in transporting their seeds and expanding their root systems.
It’s important to identify and manage heavy invasions to protect the great biodiversity we enjoy in Western North Carolina.
We need volunteers for this outing, hosted by our Forest Keepers program. It’s open to anyone who’s interested, although space is limited to eight people.
Volunteers will need hiking boots with ankle support for a six-mile moderate-to-strenuous hike in Linville. (It’s steep out there!) We’ll also work in a post-burn area so everyone should wear clothes that they don’t mind getting get dirty and sooty.
Bring at least two liters of water, lunch (and snacks as necessary) and extra layers.
Cameras are recommended (but not required) because the fall foliage is going to be spectacular and gawk-worthy.
All work equipment will be supplied!