North Four Corners News ♦ April 2024

Cutting of the Vines on Lockridge Creek in March

By Susan Schreiner

The North Four Corners volunteers rocked the vine cutting on Sunday, 10 March.  Braving strong winds and a little bit of March chill, 45 volunteers expertly led by Corrine Stephens “freed dozens of trees from vines, and filled at least six contractor bags with trash.”  Thanks Corrine for the direct quote!  Thanks to Robin and Bob Loube for providing snacks — the donuts and coffee hit the spot — and thanks to Sharon Canavan for hauling off the vines after the event.

Corrine gave us all an education on which invasive plants live in our area and the best way to go about removing them without causing harm to the trees they are overwhelming.  We learned the “window”technique of removing the vines, i.e., cut up as high as your arms can comfortably reach and as low as you can by squatting down.  Just in case you missed the event this year, plan on it for next Spring.  Funny as it sounds, vine cutting was fun and it was great meeting new people and seeing old friends.

Special thanks to Corrine whose expertise and knowledge of native (and nonnative) plant life here in Maryland made the event possible.   ■