Re: If you look, be prepared to see

**A*@aol.com**

Andrew,  I am amazed that a retail g.c. operator would think his customers 
were so unaware that lythrum is taking over wherever it isn't sprayed with 
glyphosate.  I've seen it in very well drained sites near huge colonies in 
wetlands.  Here north of Boston (about 8-10 miles as the pigeon flies) we 
have some soggy spots including a couple of glacial kettle holes that are 
gradually accumulating sediment.  Those famous beetles were released in 
spring 2000.  They were not checked on in 2001, but the habitat was still 
there, the summer of 2002 was so dry that the lythrum in the soggy spots and 
the few fish were severely impacted.  I think the lythrum will recover soon, 
because we've had so much water since the equinox.  I'm in doubt about the 
fish and other vertebrates.  EVERY highway ditch in eastern Massachusetts has 
a good population of lythrum.  I guess the total weight of lythrum is one 
hundred times greater than dandelions in Massachusetts.  

However, I have seen "craftspeople" who wanted some Celastrus for 
decorations.  We also have a serious problem with Euonymus alatus and every 
g.c. around sells it.  There is one nursery leading the way in dealing with 
problem plants.  Weston Nurseries of Hopkinton.  Wayne Mezitt and the owners 
of other production facilities have been part of efforts to decide what is 
invasive and what is not.  I'll get the website for those efforts in a couple 
of days.

Please don't give up trying to inform people.  There are enough columns that 
entertain and advertise without telling readers some really important stuff.
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