Join the Edmonds Ivy League and the Snohomish County Healthy Forest Program for a workshop on managing invasive tree species. Invasive species commonly inhabit the forests, streams, and roadsides of the county, outcompeting native plant species and degrading habitat quality for the animals that rely on them.
That's where the Edmonds Ivy League comes in. This volunteer group has been active at Southwest County Park in Edmonds since 2018, removing common ivy, cherry laurel, and common holly; keeping trails clear of logs and debris; and planting native plant species. Under the leadership of volunteer park steward Mikael Öhman, the group meets every Saturday year-round. No prior sign-up needed, just show up at 9:00 a.m. ready to work in the woods. They also have organized work parties: Earth Day events, tree planting in the park, etc.
Today, we'll focus on managing invasive trees, namely cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and common holly (Ilex aquifolium). Both of these tree species are commonly used in landscaping; however they can escape cultivation and take over forestlands very quickly unless removed. The volunteer leads at the park will show participants how to remove invasive trees and dig out the roots to prevent resprouting. When the roots are too large to pull by hand, they use a come-along winch to remove the stumps and pull any remaining roots with an "extractigator," a hand-operated tree-pulling device. We will also have informal discussions on the history of invasive trees in our region and other methods to control invasive tree species. Register for the opportunity here:
https://cerv.is/0282x216
Where to meet: Meet in the gravel parking lot off Olympic View Drive.
What to bring: Please wear long sleeves, long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes that you don't mind getting dirty or snagged on prickly plants. Bring a full water bottle and work gloves. Hand tools will be provided, but you can bring your own if you wish. Remember to bring rain gear if rain is in the forecast.
Safety Note: Remember that high heat and smoke season in Washington may be in full swing. To protect yourself, drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks, and consider wearing an N95 mask while exerting yourself outside. There is plenty of shade at this work site, but no drinking water source, so please take the necessary precautions to have a fun time with us!
Questions? Email or call the organizer.
Jay Tavarez-Brown
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425-626-0770 / 425-312-0586
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