Fairhope, Alabama
"VINE THAT ATE THE SOUTH"
At a town hall meeting last week, a citizen worried about kudzu vines growing into trees affecting the appearance of the city -- and becoming "kudzu capital of the world."
He said he thought most of the problem he sees is on city-owned property:
"That kudzu is killing hundreds of trees ... before long ... (they are) sure to fall into the street ... or private property ... they're going to get hit ... ."
An informed source at public works department says the vines' bases are often difficult to access, located on steep terrain; and a machine that has been used to reach them along road right-of-ways is no longer in service.
This year's heavier-than-usual rainfall has been a factor as well; individual vines can grow to be 60 feet long, up to a foot a day during summer -- and weigh up to 300 pounds.
HISTORY
A native of Asia, kudzu was introduced to the south beginning in the 1920s -- as forage for livestock (goats prefer it) and for erosion control purposes since it grows so well in poor soil and develops extensive, deep roots.
Responding to lessons learned during the 'Dust Bowl' drought era of the 1930s -- the federal government paid farmers $8/acre to use the vine as cover crop; and President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps planted thousands of seedlings for erosion control.
The federal government finally declared it a noxious weed in 1997.
ERADICATION DIFFICULT
Dr. James H. Miller of Auburn University has been conducting eradication research (click) -- but has so-far found only one effective herbicide (Topol), which can be hazardous and is not available to the general public.
Conventional herbicides are effective for killing leaves only (if applied repeatedly) but not the entire plant.
Digging up its roots, especially the crown of its taproot, is the preferred mechanical method but is very labor-intensive.
No suitable replacement has been mentioned for the vine's main purpose, erosion control.
(The Public Works Dept. in Chattanooga Tenn. has resorted to using goats for kudzu control on steep terrain -- click)
"VINE THAT ATE THE SOUTH"
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| N. Bayview at Kiefer |
He said he thought most of the problem he sees is on city-owned property:
"That kudzu is killing hundreds of trees ... before long ... (they are) sure to fall into the street ... or private property ... they're going to get hit ... ."
An informed source at public works department says the vines' bases are often difficult to access, located on steep terrain; and a machine that has been used to reach them along road right-of-ways is no longer in service.
This year's heavier-than-usual rainfall has been a factor as well; individual vines can grow to be 60 feet long, up to a foot a day during summer -- and weigh up to 300 pounds.
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| Scenic Hwy 98 |
HISTORY
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| citizen raises kudzu concerns |
Responding to lessons learned during the 'Dust Bowl' drought era of the 1930s -- the federal government paid farmers $8/acre to use the vine as cover crop; and President Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps planted thousands of seedlings for erosion control.
The federal government finally declared it a noxious weed in 1997.
ERADICATION DIFFICULT
Dr. James H. Miller of Auburn University has been conducting eradication research (click) -- but has so-far found only one effective herbicide (Topol), which can be hazardous and is not available to the general public.
Conventional herbicides are effective for killing leaves only (if applied repeatedly) but not the entire plant.
 |
| kudzu flower |
No suitable replacement has been mentioned for the vine's main purpose, erosion control.
(The Public Works Dept. in Chattanooga Tenn. has resorted to using goats for kudzu control on steep terrain -- click)
Comments
#fairhoperesidenthastoomuchtimeonhishands
or should I say lol
...OR... "The roots are a starch; it can be used as wine, salads, cakes and kudzu salsa." A 2005 study by Harvard Medical School found that a compound made from kudzu could help reduce alcohol cravings.