Grapevines, uncultivated & in groups >100 (Vitus spp.)
Description: A climbing woody deciduous vine that wraps itself around shrubs and trees, 12'-15' in height. Can form a dense leaf canopy that shades out other trees and shrubs. Thickets can also form over shrubs along the ground.
Life cycle: Woody perennial
Habitat: Woods, abandoned sites
Leaf: Simple alternate large leaves with 3 lobes and toothed margins, 4-6" in length.
Stem: Green and smooth in young plants, but later becomes brown and woody, twisting with peeling bark. Look for woods or green tendrils which can coil around other vegetation.
Fruit: Small purple-brack grapes in clusters (if abandoned no fruit)
The problem is…these stout vines can smother trees and forest vegetation. Grapevines are only considered a noxious weed if they are growing in groups of 100 or more and are not maintained (pruned, sprayed, or cultivated) for two consecutive years.
