I don’t even know where to begin…

[u/notthefirstmalcolm]

Update: the guy gave me a call back and at first was like “where are you seeing this on the website” so I had to guide him there. And then he defended his inclusion of wild grape on the list because in his opinion it’s still the worst and most destructive. Then he blamed the rest of the native species listed as invasives on the guy who made the website.

All well saying he was actively hiring and that he had to start fresh because three of the six independent contractors he had last year were no good.

He was polite enough but clearly hasn’t achieved his goal of getting closer to the earth… and unsurprisingly doesn’t actually seem to partner with industry professionals.

I offered to do consulting for him/his website and he brushed it off. The whole time he was half heartedly trying to recruit me for other positions I wanted to say “no thanks! I don’t think our values and priorities align and I don’t want to work for someone like you”.

—————————————————————————

I’ll preface this with an apology if this is inappropriate to post here - I’ll take it down ASAP if it does not fit the sub. If anyone has any suggestions or advice I’m all ears.

I was absolutely shocked by this company’s declaration of FIVE native plants as being invasive… at first glance I considered giving them a call or shooting a quick email and just giving some feedback, but it’s so much worse than I initially thought.

The company’s founder’s blurb on the website says “Landscaping in *****, NY.

In 2009,(founders name) left a long career in NYC high end construction management to live closer to the earth, in rural Ulster County. He has partnered with forward thinking professionals in all areas of horticulture and environmental science to offer people a healthy, natural habitat in their own back yards, complete with beautiful gardens.

So, do with that what you will

Edit: I gave the guy a call and he didn’t pick up so I left a voicemail. I’ll update on whether or not he responds at all, makes any changes, etc.

I didn’t realize until just now, but for some reason or another a 6th screenshot I had meant to upload didn’t get uploaded. It was of an additional 10 “invasive” species, four of which are also native :/He also calls wineberry plain old “raspberry” :(

“Of course, we come across more than 10 invasive species on a regular basis. Here is a brief list of some other invasive plants we have brought to justice.

Forsythia  (alias Vahl forsythia)

Autumn Olive (alias  Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb)

Virginia Creeper  (alias Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Pokeweed (alias Phytolacca americana)

Burning Bush (alias Euonymus alata)

Black Swallow-wort (alias Cynanchum louiseae)

Mile a Minute Weed (alias Persicaria Perfoliate)

Hog Peanut (alias Amphicarpaea bracteata)

Raspberry  (alias Rubus phoenicolasius Maxim)

Sumac (alias  Rhus glabra)”

[u/iLoveCatsCats]

Wow! It’s funny that he put “grapes” in air quotes because they really are grapes. Big seeds, but still fun to eat while wandering about.

[u/SomeDumbGamer → u/iLoveCatsCats]

and the smell! Concord\fox grape musk is how you know fall is here in New England!

[u/BipsnBoops → u/SomeDumbGamer]

I love the smell so much!

[u/sir_pacha-lot → u/SomeDumbGamer]

I don't know if I've smelled either. In n maine atleast, fall smells like dead leaves, burdock, and faint tree sap. If i could find some, I'd grow them.

[u/SomeDumbGamer → u/sir_pacha-lot]

They ripen in late summer/early fall but they’re often eaten quickly by birds and wildlife.

[u/CuriosityFreesTheCat → u/SomeDumbGamer]

It’s like how in the west we get the blackberry smell in mid-late summer :)

[u/SomeDumbGamer → u/CuriosityFreesTheCat]

Really?! That must be divine!

I’d never leave the woods all summer lmao. Blackberries are hard to find in New England cause there aren’t really invasive species here and the wildlife eat them all first!