There appears to be an invasive vine engulfing entire trees and shrubbery on parts of the Animas River Trail. It bloomed with pretty white flowers, but now it has seed heads that look like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Are we in danger of it taking over the trail and perhaps eventually the town? – Choked Up

We gotta tread lightly.

The last time Action Line answered a query about something odd along the Animas River Trail, heavy equipment suddenly appeared.

Then the object in question, in this case the sewer-vent bench, was yanked out of the ground, crushed like a beer can and sent to the landfill.

Now, back to that vigorous vine.

It’s Polygonum aubertii or Silver Lace Vine, a native of China and Western Tibet.

So you have to wonder if Action Line started asking about vine-choked thickets, the city would proclaim: “Summon the backhoes!”

Not at all. That comes straight from the top, our good friend Cathy Metz, director of Durango Parks & Recreation.

But before we untangle the vine issue, let’s address some grumbling about that bench with a stench.

Cathy was in the hot seat after a few people complained that it wasn’t repurposed. Let Action Line assure you, the bench was in rough shape.

In any case, the city installed a brand new bench nearby. It’s next to a swing set, a far nicer place than abutting sanitation infrastructure.

Now, back to that vigorous vine.

It’s So if you have an ugly fence needing a cover-up, Silver Lace is a good choice.

Silver Lace Vine thrives in Colorado’s fickle climate, a fact noted in Colorado State University Extension’s “Planttalk,” which list Silver Lace as one of seven go-to vines for quick results.

For many plants, their best traits are their biggest drawbacks. Silver Lace spreads like crazy, but it’s not as bad as kudzu.

So if you have an ugly fence needing a cover-up, Silver Lace is a good choice.

Just know that you are growing an overbearing bully with an aggressive constitution. It’s the Donald Trump of vines.

Silver Lace Vine is certainly weedy but it’s not a noxious weed, according to Colorado Department of Agriculture.

The “noxious” designation is the key.

“If we find noxious weeds in city parks or on city land, they are treated or eradicated, typically by licensed and certified contractors,” Metz said.

“But since this vine is not listed as noxious, we typically let nature take its course, especially in natural areas such as along the Animas River Trail.”

So enjoy the Dr. Seuss landscape. And allow Action Line to channel his inner Theodor Geisel with an ode to Silver Lace Vine inspired by Green Eggs and Ham.

Do you like Green Plants That Cling?

I do not like Green Plants That Cling, spreading over everything.

Would you plant them in a box?

Would you plant them with some phlox?

Would you pull them from the trail?

Would you pull them without fail?

Would you want a yearly mowing?

Would you stop the seeds from sowing?

I do not like them here or there.

I do not like them anywhere.

Just remember, the Green Eggs and Ham character ended up liking them after all. Maybe we’ll come to appreciate Green Plants That Cling.

Or maybe we could hire the Cat in the Hat to bring in his picker-upper machine and clean up the mess.

Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you know that Dr. Seuss used only 50 different words in Green Eggs and Ham.