The_Turtle_Moves

I have this freestanding shrub in the middle of my lawn with these extremely pretty berries in fall. Google and my mother insist it's Bittersweet and I need to destroy it before it climbs all over everything and destroys the New England forests. But it isn't a vine, and isn't climbing anything, and it doesn't seem to be trying to spread at all...
Murder, or not-murder?

(I also have actual bittersweet vine climbing mighty trees, smothering them, and dragging them down like wolves on an elk)

Nov 2, 2023 at 1:19pmWeb
Show threadBen BrockertNov 2, 2023

@The_Turtle_Moves Sure does look like it. Some vines do have a bushy mode, I remember looking out for freestanding poison ivy when out in the woods.

If you’re getting growth of it elsewhere nearby and want to be totally rid of it, getting rid of this source of seeds makes sense. But it is a nice looking shrub, as are so many invasive plants.

Show threadThe_Turtle_MovesNov 2, 2023

@wikkit the nearest problematic infestation is 100 feet away. This one seems like it's been there forever and really doesn't seem to be trying to escape... I think I'll keep a close eye on it, but it's less of a problem than the ones in my neighbors' yards, I've got higher priority places to focus on plant murder, I guess.

And it's very pretty...

Show threadJamellicaNov 2, 2023
@The_Turtle_Moves I sent the picture to my brother who knows plants.
He said, "I can't tell for sure if this is Oriental Bittersweet (serious invasive) or American Bittersweet (native, but with some potential to damage trees and buildings). But if it is more scrubby than viney, Oriental is more likely."
Bottom line, definitely Bittersweet.
Show threadThe_Turtle_MovesNov 2, 2023
@Jamellica yeah, the photo has more aesthetic value than horticultural... I just planted daffodils all around it the other weekend, so not in a huge hurry to murder it and bury the remains at a crossroads with a stake through it's heart (or whatever one does with plant monsters).
Show threadJamellicaNov 3, 2023
@The_Turtle_Moves I hear ya! Hopefully the daffodil border patrol will keep it in line.