Aylus Great Neck Branch Volunteer at Planting Field Arboretum on 5/11/24
On 5/11/24, members of the Aylus Great Neck volunteered at the Planting Field Arboretum. Not only is this place filled with beautiful flowers but it’s also an important historical site. Frederick Law Olmsted, a world-renowned landscape architect most famously known for his work on Central Park also designed this amazing park.
Today, the Aylus Great Neck branch members visited this park to help exterminate two main invasive species in one of the gardens that spread around rapidly, English Ivy and Garlic Mustard. The area was covered in these invasive plants which hinders the growth of other plants as they get out of control and cover the entire area. English Ivy would vertically on the tree and then spread around rapidly by other birds. They compete and prevent other species of plants in the area for nutrients and sunlight just like the Garlic Mustard. They grow to approximately 3 feet tall which prevents other plants from getting sunlight restricting them from reaching the sunlight to grow and flourish.
We plucked out large portions of the Garlic Mustard, raked an abundance of English Ivies, and cleaned out the area to help the other plants in the area. Chemical substances weren’t used in this process to not damage the plant and soil in the long run. Hopefully, our efforts will help the plants free from the grasp of the invasive species and help them grow into another flourishing garden.
Reporter: Tiffany Zhang
Volunteers: Tiffany Zhang, Qifeng Han, Qishen Han，Zoe Xia（2.5hrs)
