House in summer
Same house in winter
Kudzu Covered Houses in North Georgia — Anyone from the South is aware of the plague of kudzu that ruins the lanscape.
Few houses are abandoned and allowed to be taken over by vegetation. However, in parts of the south including the city of Atlanta those that are, are susceptible to being engulfed by kudzu. Some make interesting natural sculptures. Here are twenty seven buildings and old houses in 39 images which are visible from highways and streets in Georgia and South Carolina
This stuff would actually be kept in check if livestock and poultry were allowed to roam these areas. Cows love the stuff and it makes them produce more sweet milk.
related links:
Kudzu was introduced to the United States in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Countries were invited to build exhibits to celebrate the 100th birthday of the U.S. The Japanese government constructed a beautiful garden filled with plants from their country. The large leaves and sweet-smelling blooms of kudzu captured the imagination of American gardeners who used the plant for ornamental purposes.
Florida nursery operators, Charles and Lillie Pleas, discovered that animals would eat the plant and promoted its use for forage in the 1920s. Their Glen Arden Nursery in Chipley sold kudzu plants through the mail. A historical marker there proudly proclaims “Kudzu Developed Here.”
Invasivespecies.gov
Invasivespecies.org
It makes great furniture and it does stop erosion.
There is an area here on US Highway 60 where these plants have been there since at least 1968 and are still moving.
I have been surprised at how many people outside of the south are not familiar with this plant. I guess when you grow up used to seeing automobiles disappear under kudzu, you just sort of assume no one could not be familiar with it. (Remember, it can grow a foot a day.)
Peachtree City (GA) is trying goats.
(Unfortunately, you’ll have to log in to read it. I can’t say it’s worth that much trouble, but here ya go….)
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/fayette/0405/26kudzu.html?UrAuth=%60N%5DNUOaN%5BUbTTUWUXUTUZTYU_UWUcU\UZUaU%60UcTYWYWZV