About Dog-strangling Vine

Cynanchum rossicum or, as we (not so) affectionately call it "DSV" (Dog-strangling Vine), is also known as Swallowwort. It is a perennial, twining vine growing up to 2 m in height, with small pinkish to dark maroon 5-lobed flowers that start to appear in late May to early June. Opposite leaves are ovate, dark green, smooth, and shiny. The seed pods begin appearing in late June and are mature by mid to late July. Each pod produces numerous wind-borne silky-haired seeds. (source: Fletcher Wildlife Garden). 
Fletcher Wildlife Garden (FWG) has a 2010-2011 strategy for tackling DSV.

The objective is to:

• Control the spread of seeds

• Stem the spread of DSV into areas where it is still sparse

The priority areas are:

1. New Woods - along the service rd. between the barn and the beginning of the Scotch Pine

stand.

2. New Woods - just east of the red barn where DSV is now spreading thickly.
3. Old Field Thickets - Along the west side of the service rd. between Green Heron Way and where the service rd.curves around the edge of the site (heading to the Hartwell Locks rd.). Also, on the east side of the service rd., along the edge of the field south of the Ash woods.
4. Old Field Thickets - on the southwest side, near the newly installed fence.
5. Open area on south side of Ravine, along Bill Holland Trail