On Saturday, March 13th, Viles Arboretum hosted a spring Volunteer Day focusing on invasive species removal. Members of the Maine Conservation Corps as well as Invasive Plant Biologist Nancy Olmstead were present to assist volunteers in identifying and properly removing invasive plant species. While invasive plant species are widespread across the property, three sites were identified as targets for the efforts of this event. The Piggery, Johnson Pavilion and Larch Collection were determined as areas in critical need of invasive species removal.
Volunteers with honeysuckle shrubs outside the Johnson Pavillion.One of the traits that makes many of our most common invasive shrubs so successful in outcompeting native shrubs is their ability to put out leaves earlier and grow faster than many of our native species. As a result, you will often look at areas with agricultural pasts, where the understory has been disturbed and invasive species introduced either intentionally or incidentally, and notice these areas are entirely dominated by invasive shrubs such as honeysuckle and barberry. This is the cast in much of the areas along the Inner Loop Trail which was the central location for the majority of the agricultural activity on the property during the 1900's.
The rapid growth of invasive shrubs has caused the piggery to fill in with small woody shrubs, causing it to effectively disappear in the summer months. The areas surrounding the Johnson Pavilion and Rock Garden have become entangled with bittersweet vines and buckthorn. Many of the collections across Viles Arboretum face a similar situation, creating a daunting series of tasks for year round staff. 
The Piggery before March volunteer day activities.
With the help of many dedicated hands, the Piggery can once again be observed from the Inner Loop Trail, the area between the Rock Garden and Johnson Pavilion has been cleared to allow native species to return, and the Larch Collection has been freed of some of the largest Honeysuckle shrubs present on the property. None of this would have been possible if it were not for our dedicated volunteers and the help of the Maine Conservation Corps.
The Piggery after March volunteers day events.
Maine CCC, Nancy Olmstead and community volunteers in front of a pile of honeysuckle shrubs they removed from the Larch Collection.While it is unlikely we will ever fully eradicate invasive species from the 224 acres that makes up Viles Arboretum, continued efforts from staff and volunteers will ensure that we are able to control them and allow native species to thrive. Volunteers represent a critical piece of the Viles Arboretum community, many hands make light work of tasks that otherwise seem impossible for a single individual to complete.
We are thankful for the continued support we have received from our community!
Our next Volunteer Day event will take place on May 22nd. If you are interested in volunteering with Viles Arboretum, visit our website and register to be a volunteer under the "Contribute" tab in our menu, or send an email to
