Here is a strong, healthy tree in Fairmount Park, but like steer wrestling in ultra slo-mo, it is being pulled to the Earth… by FRANKENVINE!

The Northeast has been hit hard, blindsided by a voracious plague of invasive vines, and our beloved Fairmount Park is losing a great many old growth trees as a result. With the leaves off the trees at this time of year, you can really see the intensity of the problem. Riding into town on the Schuylkill, have you noticed how hairy and fuzzy the forest looks? ALL of that is the active destruction of healthy trees by invasive vines.

This Saturday, February 16th, Chamounix Mansion International Hostel, tucked way in the woods in West Fairmount Park, is hosting another of their volunteer De-Vining Days. A GREAT opportunity to work off that Valentine’s meal, the day begins at 10 AM, and runs as long as folks have steam. Bring pruners, loppers and tree saws if you have them. Some tools will be available on site.

From vegans to determined Garden Club ladies, this event brings a broad variety of people together. It’s proved especially popular with mountain bikers and cross country runners, who regularly use the various woodland trails and have seen the devastation first hand.

The staff at Chamounix Mansion have added the groove option of staying over at a special volunteer discount, Friday night or Saturday night, in either the Federal Period mansion or the Gothic Revival carriage house. To get a better idea of all the good this can be for you and up to 80 of your friends, visit their site at…

Chamounix Mansion
www.philahostel.org