That we (those in the permaculture community) are glad for the presence of
exotics and woody plants sets us apart from the aggies and native plant
societies. It's a distinction I'm proud of and have had several
conversations with Bill Mollison about.
He sees the invasive woody plants as nurse trees for the next wave of
succession, and if an exotic plant has useful properties, which they almost
always do, then it's up to us to utilize them in a way that builds biomass
and wealth. Even kudzu, he says, is edible by pigs and cattle.
So I think we, the permaculture community, play an important roll in helping
people to realize the potential of these exotic / invasive plants. And
once again the old adage of working with nature rather than against it must
be our credo - no exceptions!
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