Resident geese

Posted on October 19, 2012 by tedmanzer

I’m no fan of resident geese.  Canada geese are not supposed to stick around all summer. They are supposed to fly north in the spring. I do admit they’re pretty, and I like the honking call, but Northern Canada is where geese need to be in summer.

Canada geese are likely the most recognized waterfowl species in North Carolina. To the average person they all look pretty much the same, but there are several different subspecies. There’s the rub.

Most subspecies are migratory, but the large resident type is not. Populations of this ecotype have been exploding over the last 20 to 30 years. Conversely, numbers of migratory types are less than ten percent of what they were 60 years ago.

In the 1980’s the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, trying to bolster declining goose numbers, raised and released this giant subspecies. Neighboring states did as well. Birds were easy to rear and established well but had weak migratory tendencies.

Geese must learn to migrate from their parents. They also breed in the same locale as where they were reared. Consequently, when parents stay in an area, the goslings do as well.

Resident types also are more successful parents than their migrating cousins. The result is a huge increase in residents and a decline in migrating populations. It’s not that geese forgot how to migrate. They are different types.

Another reason for the imbalance is loss of natural habitat. Changing farming practices also entice many migrating geese to stop their migration and breed further north than they once did.

Some people say a goose is a goose, but these resident geese are bolder than the migrating kind. They are comfortable around people and feed wherever they please. They take their toll on crops and landscaping. They also leave their droppings everywhere. It is unsightly and a health hazard.

What can we do about it? First, don’t feed them. Also if you are a landowner, consider allowing hunting on your property during the September resident goose season. Most hunters are responsible and will respect your property. If they don’t you have their identification, since written permission is necessary to hunt on another’s land in North Carolina.

Don’t worry; the migrant birds won’t be here for another two months. They also are less likely to frequent densely populated areas. These resident birds make great table fare if dressed shortly after being harvested. Cook them as you would domestic duck or goose.

The season is in, so now is the time to scare these squatters out of the residential areas and into adjacent legal hunting places where populations can be thinned. If their numbers increase much more, health of the entire goose population will be jeopardized.

If harvesting is repulsive to you, you can still discourage geese on your property by limiting their access to water. Geese tend to walk and not fly into the water, so erect a wire barrier to make it inconvenient. If you harass them they might go somewhere else.

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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Chocolate Vine

Posted on October 19, 2012 by tedmanzer

Woody climbing vines get a bad name for their invasiveness and ability to cover desirable landscaping. They do have their niche though. Chocolate vine is an aggressive climber and can provide a dense screen in just a few years.

It grows as far north as Michigan and New England but is more adaptable to southern climates. In our area it often retains its foliage year-round, but from central Virginia northward it loses its leaves and wouldn’t provide much privacy in winter.

Leaves emerge from the stem one at a time and are what we call palmate. They are composed of five blades in a circular pattern. For this reason it is often called five-leaf akebia.

Stems climb by twining themselves around any available object. Vines can get 40 feet tall and once established, can make that growth in one year. Plants are readily propagated by leaf cuttings.

Flowers are either purple or white. They have a delicate chocolate odor if you use your imagination. Purple-flowering types are more likely to be fruitful, but plants won’t set fruit unless pollinated by a different plant.

Fruits resemble clusters of link sausages or pawpaws and when mature have a sweet taste and texture reminiscent of tapioca pudding. When fruits ripen they split open and expose numerous dark seeds in a gelatinous white material. No, they are not poisonous.

Birds and other animals eat the sweet fruits. Seed will spread and take hold wherever sunlight is adequate and soil moisture is not excessive. Should there not be something to climb, this vine will form a dense ground cover.

Leaves can be steeped into tea and stem extracts have been used for urinary tract ailments and throat problems on a minor scale. This plant originated in Asia and those cultures have used it as a medicinal herb much more than herbalists have in this country.

Chocolate vine seems to thrive on pruning, much like grapes do. Healthy new growth rapidly replaces older material and makes the plant branch more. Gardeners may feel free to severely cut them back if they spread from where they belong.

If homeowners want to eradicate them, there is hope. Young plants are vanquished with foliar applications of a variety of broadleaf herbicides. Glyphosate (Round-up) is also effective at this stage, but you have to be careful and not hit non-target areas. Temperature should be between 55 and 85 degrees for best results.

If older vines are the problem, try cutting the stems to the ground. Immediately apply a 20 percent concentrated solution of Round-up to the cut surfaces. This usually does the trick.

Another method is to take a string trimmer and girdle the bark from the stem. Applying some concentrated glyphosate-containing product into the stripped wood completes the treatment.

Another method for those opposed to chemicals is to trim the vines to the ground and cover them with a piece of old carpet or similar barrier. This will prevent the aboveground parts from growing and starve the roots.

Akebia quinata foliage

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata) foliage showing palmately compound leaves

chocolate vine foliage

They will climb almost anything.

akebia quinata fruit

chocolate vine fruit

chocolate vine fruit split open

Fruit split open

Seeds exposed

 

 

 

 

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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Rosemary – A shrub of many uses

Posted on September 3, 2012 by tedmanzer

There is probably not a more versatile plant in our landscape than rosemary. It makes a great hedge, tolerates salt spray, dry sandy soils, smells great, has medicinal properties and is a tasty spice. This fragrant shrub lends itself to formal or informal pruning and fills a niche most landscapes.

Rosemary, a woody perennial herb, can grow to six feet tall but is easily maintained at well below that. Some varieties are trailing. Rosemary responds extremely well to pruning and is one of the few woody evergreen shrubs that grow well in oceanfront applications. It thrives in sun to partial shade. The pleasing distinctive smell makes it ideal around a porch or patio.

Dense needle-like leaves usually display slight variegation. Blue edible flowers emerge in spring. Some cultivars may have white or lavender blooms. Petals liven up and add color to salads, biscuits, and jellies.

Leaves add flavor to vegetables and meats. I think they are almost indispensable in marinades and stuffing for poultry, chops or fish. Don’t leave rosemary out of your marinara sauce either. Use leaves fresh or dried. Place foliage in a saucepan on the stove with plenty of water. It makes great simmering potpourri. Stems, especially blooming ones are great for wreaths and floral designs both fresh and dried.

Rosemary is hardy here, but not too far north of this area; so many people grow it in pots and place them in south facing windows during winter. They prefer humid conditions but should not be over-watered. Plants are easily propagated by seeds or cuttings, so you can have plenty to share with neighbors.

Besides landscape beauty, culinary uses, and air freshening, rosemary is used extensively as a medicinal herb. Leaves are high in antioxidants and aid in cell maintenance. Plant oils have blood thinning properties and are a strong diuretic.

Due to these traits significant doses generally reduce blood pressure and are often used for that. However, if you are already on blood pressure medication don’t consume high quantities of rosemary without clearance from your doctor. Small amounts used in seasoning are inconsequential.

Rosemary infusions are used topically as anti-inflammatories for arthritis. Preparations are also used to relieve menstrual cramping and water retention, but pregnant women should avoid high doses. Research shows there might be an increase in the chance of miscarriages. Again, spicing food isn’t a problem.

Rosemary is often used in many hair care products. Part of the reason is its fragrance. However, numerous sources claim regular use of rosemary oil helps stimulate follicles and allows hair to grow longer and stronger. It is also believed that regular use of rosemary oil slows down premature hair loss and graying of hair. Some commercial dandruff preparations include rosemary oil.

Research is also being conducted on the effectiveness of rosemary in treating various cancers, specifically breast and prostate cancer. Powerful antioxidant chemicals are a likely reason. For centuries herbalists claimed rosemary was effective for preventing memory loss. Research is ongoing for using the herb to treat Alzheimer’s.

rosemary foliage

Rosemary ready to pick

 

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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Chaste Tree

Posted on September 2, 2012 by tedmanzer

In northern climates lilac makes a beautiful large shrub to small tree. It has showy cone-like fragrant inflorescences in spring. Lilac struggles in our climate but we have a great alternative in Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus).

Also called chaste tree it has flowers that look somewhere in between a lilac and a butterfly bush. They are also aromatic like lilac. Finger-like foliage has a sage-like aroma and the open airy growth habit makes for a delicate specimen plant.

Vitex, native to the Mediterranean region, blooms a little later in spring and will continue if old flowers are removed. If berries are allowed to develop they resemble peppercorns. Few pests bother Vitex but a fungal leaf spot can often nearly defoliate a tree. This plant also doesn’t tolerate extremely wet soils, but it handles the heat with ease.

So where did the name ‘chaste tree’ come from? As its name implies, its foliage and fruit were thought to reduce sexual desire, and traditionally chewed by monks to make their vows easier to uphold. Another name for the plant is monk’s pepper.

The ancient Greeks also believed the same. Ladies who did not want to be disturbed slept with Vitex leaves to deter any male company. No concrete scientific evidence has been established for these ancient claims, but the legend lives on.

Modern uses abound, however. In Europe, particularly Germany, research is flourishing. Vitex is sometimes called the woman’s herb. It is used for menstrual cycle irregularities, PMS, and menopause symptoms. It is also prescribed for treating fibrocystic breast growths and female infertility.

Chemicals in the plant stimulate the production of luteinizing hormone in the pituitary gland, which boosts levels of progesterone and prolactin. A better progesterone-estrogen balance results. This helps reduce miscarriages and boosts milk production particularly in women with low fertility. Many sources state discontinuing use if already pregnant or nursing, however.

If you are expecting immediate results, you’ll likely be disappointed. It may take several weeks to significantly change hormone levels, but slow change is not always bad. Rapid hormonal changes can be part of the problem in the first place.

Vitex extracts can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth and skin rashes in some people. Some complain of headaches and insomnia but no serious side-effects have been reported.

Research has shown Vitex use can help treat an enlarged prostate in men. Part of the reason for this condition is a slight shift in testosterone and estrogen balance. Chemicals in Vitex slow conversion of testosterone to estrogen and the result is shrinkage of the prostate.

European research also shows promise for treating prostate cancer. Some herbalists even claim a reduction in male pattern baldness.

On the downside, various studies indicate the use of this herb can cause shrinkage of the prostate, which is good, but it can also promote testicular shrinkage, which is not so good. It promotes fertility in women, but impotence and sterility in men. The prostate research is interesting, but for now I think I’ll pass.

Vitex foliage

Vitex showing palmate foliage

Vitex foliage and fruits

Vitex stem showing leaves and fruit

Vitex fruit

Vitex raceme with fruit resembling peppercorns

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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Goldenrod

Posted on September 2, 2012 by tedmanzer

When I was a kid my father told me that once the goldenrod bloomed summer was over. I always associated goldenrod with the start of school. In general this is true, but the genus Solidago has over a hundred species and one found here blooms in spring. It is a threatened species and rarely noticed.

Most goldenrods are upright perennial shrubs with 2-4 inch narrow tooth edged leaves that emerge from the stem singly. Yellow (rarely white) flowers grow from the stem tips. Some goldenrods can be six feet tall or more and stem hairiness varies from nearly smooth to quite hirsute. Different species interbreed readily, so precise identification is difficult.

One of the more common ones is the Canada goldenrod, a primary food for migrating Monarch butterflies. Young larvae usually eat milkweed. Canada goldenrod tolerates varied fertility and moisture conditions, meaning you can expect to see it anywhere except highly shaded areas. It is a prolific seed producer and it forms a dense mat of roots and rhizomes, also great reasons for its abundance throughout North America.

Many other butterflies flock to goldenrod, not just Monarchs. Because of this there is interest in developing compact ornamental varieties. Fewer fall-blooming plants frequent fields and roadsides, meaning less food is available for bees and butterflies. Goldenrod is easy to grow and presents few challenges for gardeners with purple thumbs.

The only real insect pest to goldenrod is the goldenrod gall. Depending upon how you look at it, it might even have positive qualities. The insect lays eggs in the stems and in response to the invasion the plant forms a barrier of tissue that eventually looks like a golf ball on a stick. When these stems with galls on them are dried they are quite decorative and useful in dried floral arrangements.

Those with pollen allergies sometimes inaccurately accuse goldenrod for their discomfort. However, its pollen is heavy, sticky and not readily spread by wind. Ragweed is usually the culprit. The two grow and bloom in similar locations, but ragweed doesn’t have showy flowers and often escapes accusation. Goldenrod allergies exist, but they are not caused by pollen.

Goldenrod is often recommended by herbalists to treat many problems. Teas and extracts made from leaves and flowers are used to fight inflammation of arthritis and gout. Treatment of colds, flu, sore throat, urinary tract infections and kidney stones are other uses. Some apply solutions topically to treat eczema and minor wounds.

Goldenrod contains many diuretic chemicals. Therefore, people who are already taking medicine to remove excess water might want to consult their doctors before consuming too much of it. The same goes for those taking Lithium. It could build up in their blood to potentially dangerous levels if too much body fluid is removed. Other than that, there are few concerns regarding goldenrod use.

Tea flavor varies among species. Some types, most notably sweet goldenrod, have anise scented and flavored leaves. The licorice flavor is quite pleasing to me, but that species isn’t abundant here.

goldenrod flower close-up

goldenrod inflorescence

stand of goldenrod

stand of goldenrod – about 6 feet tall

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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More blue for our future?

Posted on August 15, 2012 by tedmanzer

Right now it’s not one of the more common roadside plants in eastern Carolina. That might change in the next few years. If you take a drive north or west for any distance you’ll begin to see more of it. Its flowers look like blue daisies. They bloom only in the morning.

Wild chicory is a common perennial plant throughout much of our country and it’s plenty hardy here. It prefers relatively deep soils and tolerates dry conditions for moderate periods.

Sometimes called succory, particularly in Europe, it usually grows less than three feet tall and produces a long taproot similar to dandelion. Basal leaves also look a little like dandelion but have hairiness to them. Endive is its cultivated cousin.

Since many people eat endive it might be assumed chicory is edible as well. It is, but leaves are somewhat bitter even in young stages and the slight pubescence might turn one off if eaten raw. Some cultures appreciate the bitterness, but most Americans reject it. I like it slightly cooked with butter and salt. Beware of chemical residues on roadsides and other areas of heavy pesticide use.

Grazing animals find chicory quite palatable and that is why I predict you might see more of it in the future. Chicory has long been used as a forage crop for many reasons. In Europe and New Zealand it has become a major forage crop. Much of the breeding work for improved forage cultivars was completed in New Zealand.

Yields are high and cattle and sheep thrive on pastures containing chicory for several reasons. First of all, they like it and intake is good. Secondly, it is high in digestible nutrients and vitamins, especially vitamin A. Mineral concentrations are dense as well. Tannins and other chemicals in the leaves help control internal parasites too.

Domestic livestock production is not the main reason I expect to see more of it though. It has hit the hunting magazines and a hot new food plot crop. It establishes easily, is perennial and grows well in spring and summer. High mineral concentrations also support antler growth.

I suspect many hunting clubs will plant it more and that will facilitate its spread to our roadsides. That’s not all bad though. The flowers are beautiful and are even incorporated in some wildflower mixes already.

Does chicory have other uses? You bet! For generations it has been used as a coffee substitute and additive. Some even refer to chicory incorrectly as coffeeweed. True coffeeweed is a noxious plant called sicklepod that invades our crops.

Chicory roots are dug, cleaned, dried, ground and roasted. Many commercial coffee blends contain chicory. Although fresh roots are extremely bitter, when processed chicory lends a less bitter flavor to coffee. It also contains no caffeine and counteracts the effects of it.

Exciting research links chicory root to helping heal liver damage and treating breast, prostate, kidney and skin cancers. One side-effect is that chicory stimulates bile production, which could be problematic for those who form gallstones. Also, pregnant women should avoid too much of it. It promotes menstruation, which could cause a miscarriage.

chicory

Roadside chicory

chicory

Chicory flower

 

 

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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Rose Mallow

Posted on August 12, 2012 by tedmanzer

Check out the sunny wet areas along our roadsides and you can’t miss them. This early July heat is speeding their maturity, but they look like they are hanging tough. Huge white or pink blooms now adorn our landscape. Individual flowers have five equal petals and can be eight inches across.

Rose mallow, sometimes called perennial hibiscus or wild cotton, is a fast growing perennial that can grow up to seven feet tall. Plants die back to the ground each year. Stems are somewhat hairy and sport large toothed edged leaves with reddish veins which are triangular to heart-shaped. Close botanical relatives are hollyhock, rose of Sharon, tropical hibiscus, okra, and cotton.

Perennial hibiscuses are gorgeous on our roadsides and can make colorful additions to our gardens. They are long lived and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Blooming from late June to early September, color can be quite prolific if old flowers are removed. Seeds ripen from August to October and can be collected and planted in our gardens in the spring.

This perennial is great for sunny areas with moist soil. They tolerate a wide pH range. The huge blooms make a stunning backdrop when used with shorter plants. Rose mallow is not overly invasive and won’t take over an area like some tall perennials can.

They are often late to emerge in spring, so don’t get concerned if they are late to show themselves. That might even be an advantage when planted with early spring bulbs like daffodils. The simple fact that mallows thrive in wet areas may be enough for some gardeners to try them.

Japanese beetles, aphids and a few species of moths are common pests, but severe infestations are rare. Bacterial leaf spot and gray mold can sometimes be a problem too, but plants are relatively disease resistant. These perennial hibiscuses aren’t as prone to scale as the tropical types either and since they die down to the ground each year they don’t provide protection for overwintering pests.

Flowers are edible and make a pleasing mild tea high in vitamin C. It is used medicinally to treat urinary problems. It has strong diuretic properties, thus increases urine flow.

Leaf extracts are even used in some shampoos. Numerous claims boast that chemicals in the hibiscus improve hair strength and the mucilage is good for the skin. Hibiscus extracts have been used externally to treat eczema. Leaf mucilage would thicken soups and sauces if used in them. Foliage is somewhat hairy and quite bland and not used much for that purpose, but no parts of the plant are poisonous.

Other Hibiscus species are used in commercial herb teas. You can even use rose of Sharon and the tropical type hibiscus too. Some use the leaves as a garnish or in salads. A related species common in Florida is prescribed successfully to treat hypertension. That shows great promise, but like with any medicinal herb we must pay attention to medications we take that might counteract or accentuate the results.

Solid pink ecotype

Late afternoon shot – flowers closed for the day.

Red-throated white flowered type

Close-up of flower

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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Figs – Tasty Landscaping

Posted on August 12, 2012 by tedmanzer

One of the pleasures of living in the south is the plethora of plants we can grow in our yards. Growing up in Maine, I probably appreciate the diversity here more than most. When one is limited to plants that are hardy in zones 4 and 5 selection can be meager.

One of my favorite dual purpose landscape plants is the edible fig. It has interesting foliage and delicious fruits that are beginning to ripen. Figs are great raw or in numerous concoctions and they are easy to grow. I made some fig bars last year that were decadent although also wall-to-wall calories.

Figs can be planted away from other landscaping and treated as an orchard crop, but they make a great specimen plant. You can prune them and maintain an attractive shape with dense foliage without hindering fruit production. Many varieties such as ‘Brown Turkey’, ‘Celeste’, ‘Black Mission’ and the large yellow ‘Conadria’ grow and produce well in eastern North Carolina.

‘Celeste’ is probably the most common type found in eastern North Carolina

Fig foliage

. Commonly called the sugar fig, it is long lived and hardy. They usually stay at a manageable size with very little pruning. Most trees seldom grow much taller than ten feet and can be trained to less than that. They can be harvested almost entirely from the ground.

In general, figs have excellent disease and pest resistance, although green fruit beetles can rob you. Drought and heat tolerance are superb, making them very adaptable to our growing conditions. They don’t thrive in wet soils or shady conditions although they may grow there. Deer also generally leave them alone. Likely this might be because stems are full of a bitter latex material.

Fig growers encounter this white juice when pruning branches or harvesting fruit. Many are sensitive to it and have a reaction much like people have with poison ivy. It can be severe, particularly if the material comes in contact with the eyes. Other complications can arise when sun exposure follows contact with the plant sap. A good practice is to wash your hands thoroughly after handling fig clippings or fruit. Those allergic to latex might also want to avoid exposure to these.

Some people have a skin reaction when they eat too many fresh figs. Usually cooking the fruits eliminates this problem. Other allergies are possible though.

Should most people avoid figs in their diets? I would say a resounding no! Fresh fruits are a healthy treat rivaling any other. The biggest problem I have with fresh ones is that they are extremely perishable. Even in the refrigerator they don’t keep very long, so we often must preserve them by drying or canning.

Dried or processed figs may be high in sugars but they still contain large amounts of fiber and are a rich source of potassium and calcium. What gives figs their diet killing reputation is what you do with them. Adding additional sugar and incorporating them into floury greasy dough pretty much makes any fruit less healthy.

Nice fruit set of Conadria. These get tennis ball size.

 

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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The Unflappable Moose

Posted on August 12, 2012 by tedmanzer

I was in Maine recently doing some maintenance work on a cabin my father built in 1962. Roberta and I were about to take a dip in the lake when we had the privilege of observing a young bull moose feeding on some lily pads in about four feet of water. He was really going to town and not about to cut short his snack on our account. I stood on the dock while Roberta moseyed back to the cabin for my camera.

Thirty shots later he was still well within camera range. Moose are the largest land mammal in the northeastern part of the country and generally the only animal one might fear in Maine. Black bears dot the area as well, but the only times they might be a problem are if one is unlucky enough to get between a female and a cub or get too close to a male during mating season.

Gray wolves also inhabit that area to some extent as do coyotes and I’ve been in the presence of both on numerous occasions. Their willingness to attack humans is overrated. They are not shy about taking out pets though. Bald eagles aren’t either and I always see several every day I’m up there.

Moose are another matter. They have no natural enemies. None would stand a chance against them. They are large peaceful creatures with little fear of humans. There is a limited moose hunting season and severe penalties for poaching one, so moose seldom get shot at.

That should not keep you from maintaining your distance. Moose can have short fuses. Some idiots have learned that when throwing rocks at them or getting too close with a canoe. You can’t paddle faster than they can swim.

Take a drive in the evening on some logging roads and you might see one at close range. In summer, cows show off their maternal instincts. I’ve had them run beside my truck, keeping themselves between me and their calves. For bulky awkward-looking creatures their speed and stamina are impressive.

This one, probably a three year old, looked up at me several times, but he made no advance or retreat. He shook his three to four foot wide rack at me a few times, but that was more to fight the flies than anything else. There is no comparison seeing this majestic creature in the wild as opposed to in a zoo.

How close have I been to a moose? I’ve eaten moose meat numerous times and it is fabulous. The tenderloins are as large as the plumpest filet mignons and the outer loins as or larger than beef rib eyes. Flesh is dark and lean as is venison. Cut for cut the meat is probably tenderer.

On this day, however, my appetite was satisfied far more by watching him and offering friendly conversation. Shooting with my camera far exceeded what I could have done with my rifle, even if season was in and I possessed a valid permit.

Healthy young bull moose in velvet

young bull moose in maine

Same moose enjoying water and water lilies

Same moose in slightly deeper water

 

 

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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Invasive silk tree

Posted on July 9, 2012 by tedmanzer

It’s now in full bloom. Some think the flowers are gorgeous and want one in their yard. Maybe if they quit mowing their lawn they’d get their wish. The mimosa is that ‘Dr. Seuss-like’ tree with spreading branches and copious delicate and fragrant pink blooms. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love them.

After flowers disappear, distinctive bean-like pods form, assuming flowers have been pollinated. Mimosas are self-sterile, which means another tree must be present within a few hundred yards. Pods grow to six inches long and have flat seeds inside. They usually remain on the tree during winter. Seeds can be viable for many years and usually require some type of weathering to germinate. An animal’s digestive system can suffice but seeds are toxic to many.

Botanists refer to the leaf arrangement as bipinnate. Many tiny leaflets comprise each leaf giving the tree a fern-like feathery appearance. Leaves fold up at night and during rainstorms for protection.

Though individual leaflets are small, the combined effect creates a dense canopy that keeps light from reaching the ground underneath. This forces many existing native plants to suffer from lack of light. Most turfgrasses struggle underneath them.

Sometimes called silk trees, they are members of the bean family. This group of plants has bacteria that grow on the roots and trap nitrogen for their benefit. Consequently, mimosas can grow on poor soils with low fertility. For this reason we find them everywhere.

They are fast growing short lived trees. Twenty years is an old tree. They can reach heights of 25 feet with a 35 foot spread. The wood is weak but since trees are usually small, they seldom cause damage. Mimosas prefer sunny locations but can grow in partial shade. Bloom is less under shady conditions though.

So what if we don’t want them on our property? Cut them and treat the stumps when in active growth. Concentrated Round-up works well, but you still might have a few suckers coming up from the roots away from the main trunk. You also may have them pop up on other parts of your property, since they spread by seeds and production is prolific. Keep your lawn mowed and inspect your shrubbery regularly. Plants are easy to recognize.

Is there a use for them other than their delicate looks? Yes, parts of them are edible. The flowers can be eaten raw or steeped as a tea. They are high in antioxidants which decrease the danger associated with high LDL cholesterol.

The bark also makes a useful medicinal tea. Don’t eat the seeds though. They contain neurotoxins and are toxic. According to numerous sources, the mimosa has been used medicinally to counteract insomnia and as an antidepressant. Some call it the tree of happiness.

Traditional Chinese medicine has relied on mimosa to counteract depression, anger, grief and poor memory for centuries. I haven’t found any documented side-effects of mimosa flowers and bark. However, I feel mimosa’s beauty is best taken in through the eyes and not the mouth.

mimosa

mimosa in bloom

mimosa

mimosa blooms

mimosa

mimosa foliage

Ted Manzer teaches agriculture at Northeastern High School.

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