What’s in the Woods: September
September 18, 2024 4:30 pm
This time of year there are several berry-producing shrubs in Virginia. Let’s compare two you’re likely to see: the native spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and invasive amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii).
Spicebush is hardy to various soil conditions, produces pollinator-friendly yellow blooms in spring and golden fall foliage, hosts the stunning spicebush swallowtail butterfly, and its berries are a favorite of many songbirds.
Amur honeysuckle is an imported non-native and has become a common invasive due to its hardiness and ability to outcompete native plants. Birds will eat its berries, which has also contributed to its swift spread, but amur honeysuckle berries are like junk food for wildlife. If you have amur honeysuckle you wish to remove, this resource from the USDA Forest Service has a guide on page 61: https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/gtr/gtr_srs131.pdf
Have you seen these big spiderwebs in your trees? These are actually nests spun by fall webworm caterpillars, a native moth that feeds on many deciduous trees. The webs and resulting defoliation can be unsightly, but webworms rarely hurt a tree. They’re also a great food source for migrating songbirds! 
Tags: Insects, Invasive Species
Category: Forest Health