Noah Miller
WMAL.com
ROCKVILLE, Md. — (WMAL) You may have noticed large heaps of dead plant on your Beltway commute – and so has the state of Maryland.
Invasive vines are becoming a thorn in the side of state plant life, so Maryland highway officials have decided to nip the problem in the bud.
“The Maryland State Highway Administration has started a $2 million project that should be wrapped up in 2018 to eradicate very rapidly growing noxious and invasive species,” said Charlie Gischler, spokesperson for the state highway administration.
These encroaching plants like the Kutzu – or Japanese Arrowroot – grow rapidly into vines, literally killing trees by blocking them from sunlight. In more serious cases, Gischler explains, “if that tree has something that flowers and attracts pollinators, then you’re taking a food source away.”
Motorists will see chainsaws and chippers along Beltway sound barriers, but Gischler assures that “most of this is going to be off onto the grassy shoulders,” with the occasional rubberneck posing the worst of problems.
People can learn more about the project and environment on the Maryland State Highway Administration website.
Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. Alll Rights Reserved. (Photo: MD State Highway Administration)
