Plant Rant: The Norway Maple, A Poetic Prose

Ah, the Norway maple, the mischievous troublemaker of the tree world, with its charming facade hiding a multitude of woes. Like a sly trickster, it spreads its roots far and wide, encroaching upon unsuspecting gardens and lawns with its insatiable appetite for space. Never letting other plants get a root in the ground. Its canopy, though lush and inviting, casts a shadow over native flora, thwarting their growth with its selfish shade. And oh, the mess it makes! Shedding its leaves with reckless abandon. Those leaves then release toxins as they break down which affects our soil fungi friends.  But fear not, intrepid gardeners, for with patience and perseverance, we shall conquer the tyranny of the Norway maple and restore harmony to our green spaces once more!

Submitted by naturalist Cathy Wesley, February 2024