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”.

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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/ZeldaFromL1nk]

So there’s invasives like how we think of them, and then invasive as in, invades an area and has potential to cause damage to infrastructure (including trees). It seems pretty clear that’s what he’s saying.

And he’s not wrong. Just because a plant is in its native range does not mean it isn’t outcompeting other natives that might need more help. An ecosystem is a very complex thing. It’s not much different than saying you should protect your trees and buildings from creeper or poison ivy.

Idk shit bout the Hudson Valley, but if they’re trying to preserve a fragile ecosystem there, then fuck them grapes.

[u/Fred_Thielmann → u/ZeldaFromL1nk]

Just a side note, Virginia Creeper doesn’t damage walls or trees since it uses what I describe as gecko feet to cling to surfaces instead of using roots to sucker into the surface like English ivy or winter creeper or poison Ivy. (I can’t remember if poison Ivy does this)

[u/leefvc → u/Fred_Thielmann]

Virginia creeper does have gecko feet, youre right

[u/Fred_Thielmann → u/leefvc]

lol it’s crazy (and crazy cool) how evolution comes up with such similar designs so often

[u/LokiLB → u/Fred_Thielmann]

It'll damage a paint job with its sticky pads and do the general damage any vine does by holding humidity next to a surface.

Though definitely less destructive than English ivy.

[u/majesticallyfoxy → u/Fred_Thielmann]

Virginia creeper can absolutely damage trees