Vines Growing in Grass

I had put some bark mulch around the trees in my front yard back in 2014. I didn't realize it but there were some vine seeds in this mulch and they grew into the grass. You really couldn't see them in the grass in some places. I got a rake with long teeth and pulled the vines up so I could tell where they were. Then I sharpened my sharp shooter shovel on a grinder and cut the vines below the ground with the shovel.  We didn't want to use poison herbicide because that gets in the garden and might cause all kind of damage to our bodies.

Here is the pile of vines I extracted from my yard.  The volume of vines was surprising.

Here is the photo of our front yard. The straw is where the vines were solid. The straw holds the grass seed down during rains. 

There are things in our life that are under the surface but affect our life if we allow them to remain. Get the root of bitterness and unforgiveness out of your life and life will be much better. Why let the past ruin your life. Cast your care on Jesus and let Him take care of it. 1 Peter 5:7

Birds Devour Fruit

These birds are enjoying the bountiful fruit from a vine growing in my Eastern Red bud tree. The bottom bird is a Starling, the one in the middle could be a Cedar Waxwing and the top one is a Robin.

Matthew 6:25,26,33 

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Can we trust God with our needs?  The Bible says we can, but there is a condition. Seek God first! How do we seek Him first? With our time, our money, and our priorities. Live for the purpose of pleasing God. We put Him first with all our heart, soul and strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Grape Vine

This vine starts near the tree and ends up in the branches.

Don't let problems spring up near you. Root out the problems before they get into your life.

Micah 5:14 "I will root out your Asheirm from among you,
and destroy your cities."

Vines Engulf Tree

This tree doesn't have a chance. Vines have got it covered.

Vines

This tree is giving the vine a free ride.

Vine Flowers

I ran across these vine flowers. The above sapling was dead and unknown. That did not stop the vines. The sapling below the is growing on may have been squeezed to death.



Here is the same type of vine growing on Black walnut. Notice the bole of the tree is being squeezed and may cause death to this tree also.




Photos taken 27-May-09

Bent Tree

I found with interest this maple sapling that had been pulled down by the vines attached to it when the snag fell. Apparently vines were attached to both the sapling and the snag.


Below is a better photo showing the way the sapling is bent over because the vines were pulled down by the sapling.




This young sapling had great promise. It seemed to be growing well. But the vines did not let it grow but will kill the tree in a few years.

Our life has similar aspects to this vine problem the young sapling has. We want to worship God but at the same time keep our ties to the good life in this world.

1 John talks about loving the world and loving God. The 2 can't both coexist. We either have the Lord as our goal in life or the pleasures of the world. If we try to have both there will be a time when the cares of the world will pull us away from following God.

It is well worth the cost of following Jesus. The disciples left all to follow Jesus. Jesus asks us to follow Him with no ties to this world. 2 Tim 2:3,4 "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life so that he may please the one who has enlisted him as a solider."

Vines Cover Forest

Here is a good, summer shot, showing vines completely covering the forest. Certain areas of the woods are like this and other woods don't have any trouble with vines. I wonder if it is in the chemistry of the trees. One of the trees that I notice a lot of vines around is Honey locust.

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine growing on Honey locust tree.

Very invasive plant and hard to get rid of.

Judges 6:5
"They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it."

Revisiting a Tree

Here is a picture of a tree with 5 vines climbing up it and there is a lot of other vines growing up the tree that have jumped across from some brush . I want to find this tree again in the spring or summer. So I am taking some readings from my compass of other trees that will point to this tree.


This is the tree in the center of the photo. To the left of the stem you can make out the vines grabbing the branch of the tree up in the air.

To locate this tree again I am making notes in my journal of how I got here. The more complete notes I can make, the better chance I have of finding the tree again.

There is an Am. sycamore to the east at a azimuth of 92 degrees. It is interesting, there is a Shingle oak on this 92 degree line. So if I line up those 2 trees, they will point the way to the tree with the vines.










There is another sycamore tree at a 52 degree azimuth that has a good den hole for wildlife that I took a picture of.


I enjoy planning to retrace my steps to find these trees again.

I have learned the hard way, that complete notes is not an option. Looking at notes in years past I could not make heads or tails out of what I wrote.

A lot of the problem is I don't have the patience or time to sit down and write the notes in the field. Now I am taking a recorder and making notes as I walk.

A further post on these trees is forthcoming.

It is the same with my walk with the Lord. I sometimes take notes during my devotions to remind myself of important things I have learned.

Vines Growing up Vines of Honey Locust

Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos alway seems to have vines growing up the trunk.

Virginia creeper

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia ) is another plant turning early. This is a good vine for coverage.