Oriental Bittersweet: A Growing Threat to Hardwood Silviculture in the Appalachians

Abstract

Abstract Oriental bittersweet, an introduced, deciduous shrubby vine, has the potential to become a serious pest on many hardwood regeneration sites in the Appalachians. Like wild grapevines, oriental bittersweet damages young hardwood stands by stem girdling, increasing risk of ice damage, and eventually causing death by shading the crown foliage. This vine is unusual in that its seedlings are extremely shade tolerant and on good-quality sites will respond to release with rapid growth. North. J. Appl. For. 4:174-177, Dec. 1987.