Bittersweet

Is it illegal to cut foliage down from a public park in the town that you live in and pay taxes in? What about if it was something that will grow back? What if it is actually a highly invasive species. What if you found it chocking a tree? Is it still morally wrong???

hmmm...

I love decorating with natural elements. Last year, after Thanksgiving, I noticed that a local park had an abundance of Bittersweet through one part that I drive through. Have you ever purchased this stuff for decorating? It's like $5 for a little bouquet. Then it sheds and you have to toss it out.

Anyway, I vowed to remember where it was so I could use it for Thanksgiving decorating this year. I was not sure if it was the harmless American Bittersweet or the invasive Oriental Bittersweet. I assumed it was the latter because it was covering other trees and I was right.

So I cut a bunch down (I'll be honest, I didn't just cut it down because it was the bad kind, I would have cut it down if it was the other kind as well-It IS a perennial) and had enough to put in a few different places around the house.

As for disposal, I'm up in the air. I would usually throw something like this in the compost pile but I'm afraid of it seeding and messing up my woods. I'll probably toss it out in the garbage instead.