I've seen quite a few trees (oaks and the like) that have a large vine that wraps it from trunk to top. The leaves are similar in shape to strawberry leaves, but much bigger. It turns a bright, deep red in the fall, and appears to be symbiotic and not parasitic. The region is the upper mid-west (MN, MI, that kinda area). Any ideas?
2006-10-04 23:16:30 · 7 answers · asked by Arlene06 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Botany
Oh yeah, I should mention, I've only seen it in the wild, not on any trees that are under somebody's care. And I've seen it in lower MI area
2006-10-04 23:28:48 · update #1
This is a very common plant that grows everywhere!!! It is called Virginia Creeper.
http://images.google.com/images?q=virginia+creeper&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
It is not harmful (to you or other plants) and it is not parasitic by any means! It is nice, but some people consider it weedy. I love the red fall color that it gets! People normally weed this plant out and off of trees, but it looks nice!
2006-10-05 07:00:09 · answer #1 · answered by plantmd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't think the upper Midwest had much trouble with vines on trees; down South vines are a real nuisance, rampant, and ugly as heck. I'm not sure what you have. My first guess is poison ivy, since it's prevalent down here and is one of the first things to turn red in the fall. It also has hairy vines--what kind of vines do you have? It might also be wild grape, which has a vine that has bark and is not hairy. Porcelainberry(http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/vines.htmerry) looks like it has somewhat similar leaves to strawberry.
The Midwest states generally have wonderful Extension Services, and perhaps you can get an extension agent out to look at what you have and advise you; or else cut a sample and mail it to them.
2006-10-05 00:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by AnOrdinaryGuy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely it is a form of Ivy. We have a lot of that in my city, here in Michigan. English ivy, lilly of the valley, etc. It can be one of many types.
**EDIT**
Unfortunately, however, it is most definately parasitic, but not in the way one normally considers a parasite. The ivy does not leach anything off of the tree, however, it can eventually grow completely around the tree and up the branches, killing the tree itself.
I would recommend you remove any of it that is higher than a few feet off the ground. Do not let it get up into the branches.
**EDIT 2 ***
Why do people just copy and paste parts of other peoples answers and call it their own?
Totally lame.
2006-10-04 23:18:37 · answer #3 · answered by iswd1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, however, it is most definately parasitic, but not in the way one normally considers a parasite. The ivy does not leach anything off of the tree, however, it can eventually grow completely around the tree and up the branches, killing the tree itself.
2006-10-05 06:59:46 · answer #4 · answered by Rita Z 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's called Virginia Creeper over here.
Best of Luck - Mike
2006-10-04 23:22:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
purple Vines. favourite Amy Mann song on 3. a million,2,3-" "purple Vines!" "favourite shade of vines different than green." "purple Vines!" "favourite thank you to declare purple wines in a German accessory." ......"purple VINES! OH MY GOD!"
2016-12-26 10:13:50 · answer #6 · answered by belis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
interesting lol.
2006-10-05 03:07:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋