Oriental Bittersweet

At this time of year, the profusion of Oriental Bittersweet becomes readily apparent when huge blankets of yellowing leaves hang from roadside trees. Pretty as it is, Celastrus orbiculatus can certainly overtake the landscape. As it climbs into trees, it smothers with its shading and can topple trees with excess weight and surface exposure during high winds or heavy snows.

Here are bittersweet vines girdling a Black Walnut. In contrast, the lovely lichens live peacefully, neither taking from nor giving to their support.

Birds feeding on the berries spread seed and frustrate control.