Wisteria removal and restoration under way at Pemberton Historical Park

 Wicomico County has resumed removing invasive Japanese wisteria from Pemberton Park in Salisbury.

Removal of dead and compromised trees began Friday. Because of the severity of the wisteria infestation, an estimated 5 acres of trees will be removed.

New trees and native plants will be installed in the affected areas. In the long term, the project will address safety concerns, increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and improve visitor experience.

Logging services have been donated by master logger Frankie Eure of F.D. Eure Inc.

Eure grew up on Pemberton Drive and frequented the park as a youngster.

While the logging operation is under way, portions of the park will be closed to the public.

Occasional partial closures of the park will continue into early spring while crews are applying herbicides.

The wisteria removal project began in summer 2019. It is a collaborative effort of the Natural Resources Conservation Advisory Committee of Wicomico County, in partnership with Wicomico County and the Lower Shore Land Trust.

Wisteria is a fast-growing, deciduous woody vine with fragrant purple flowers in dangling clusters. When wisteria establishes in natural areas, it damages and displaces native vegetation.

Invasive species are defined as non-native species that are likely to cause both environmental and economic harm. Homeowners can help prevent the spread of invasive species like wisteria by removing the plants from their properties and not purchasing them from plant sellers.

The NRCAC is working in partnership with Wicomico County and the LSLT to create the Lower Eastern Shore Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.

This group is developing an invasive species outreach program to promote early detection and response to problematic plant species on the Lower Shore. To learn more, visit lowershorelandtrust.org.