Behold the lovely liana. Hairy, muscular, handsome, snaking up the tree,

Poison Ivy liana (large woody vine) in winter

Enduring through the seasons,

Reaching for the canopy,

Poison Ivy liana (woody vine)

A sturdy climber,

Vulnerable,

Killed with a saw.

Depriving Yellow-rumped Warblers, Robins, Bluebirds, Wild Turkeys and many other creatures of sustenance.

Though you may not wish to have poison ivy in your backyard, especially as a spreading ground cover, these massive vines are not only an important source of food for birds and other animals, they are actually quite beautiful in their own right. It is most unfortunate that this vine was cut in a nature center that is otherwise trying to preserve our native species and natural beauty.

I have also noticed an indiscriminate war against lianas in our local parks, regardless of whether they are native grape or invasive oriental bittersweet. Not all vines are created equal and native vines deserve recognition for their beauty and importance to the forest ecosystem.