LMST: Native Tree and Invasive Shrub Letterbox Hybrid
LMST: Native Tree and Invasive Shrub
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Size: 
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This is one of a series of caches placed along the Little Miami Scenic Trail (LMST).
This is an interesting place along the Little Miami Scenic Trail for a cache as you get a chance to see two very different woody plants right next to each other. One is a native tree, Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), and the other is an invasive shrub, Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii).
Hackberry trees can be easily identified by the light-gray, corky bark that breaks up into wart-like patterns that remind me of a topographic map. This tree is a member of the elm family and has the typical toothed leaves of that family. It produces small, green berries that turn purple when ripe. These berries are prized by birds, so you will often see flocks descend upon a tree with ripe fruit. Another unique thing that you will often see in hackberry trees is a "witch's broom" (see picture below). This is a clustering of small twigs caused by a combination of a fungus and a mite. The effect visually is a small, broom-like feature in the branches of the tree (hence the common name). If you see a witch's broom in a tree, chances are that the tree is a hackberry (although mulberry trees also sometimes form them). Hackberry trees flourish in bottomland soils, so they do well along the Little Miami Bike Trail.
Hackberry Leaf, Fruit, Bark, and Witch's Broom
Amur Honeysuckle is one of the fastest-spreading, invasive shrubs in Ohio. This shrub was first introduced to Ohio from northeastern Asia in the 1950s and has since spread to most of the eastern United States. Amur Honeysuckle has an extremely fast growth rate, keeps its leaves longer than most native shrubs, is tolerant of many growing conditions, and reseeds itself prolifically through bird-deposited seeds. Because of these traits, it has quickly overtaken many native shrubs. Many programs have been undertaken to try to eradicate the Amur Honeysuckle, but as you can see from the many, many honeysuckle bushes along the trail, getting rid of this invasive is a huge job.
Amur Honeysuckle Leaves, Flowers, Fruit, and Bark
As you travel along the rest of the Little Miami Scenic Trail, watch for these unique woody plants. You should have no trouble finding them (especially the honeysuckle)!
Note: please be sure to leave the letterbox stamp in the cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
onfr bs gur gjb va gur gvgyr; cyrnfr yrnir gur yrggreobk fgnzc va gur pnpur
Treasures
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