Local Hero Locates and Frees Hopelessly Entangled Victim!
On a recent steamy Saturday afternoon, while many of us were sipping iced drinks in front of our fans and air conditioners, local West Lebanon adventurer, Bart Guetti, set out on a quest to the western end of the MRG. His seemingly hopeless task was to locate an apple tree that had been planted in September 2019. Friends of Lebanon Recreation, Upper Valley Apple Corps, and other volunteers had planted it during Climate Strike Week in an effort to enhance MRG habitat..
A veritable jungle had grown up around the apple tree, Thick vines had clambered atop, dominating the environment, and strangling whatever lay in its path. Were it not for the nearly invisible wooden stakes installed last year, and for the determination of our intrepid hero, all would have been lost. Venturing forth by bike, clad in safety vest and neon pith helmet, and armed with machete, he tripped among the vines, struggling, chopping, and eventually, freeing the victim. “Just in the lick of time. If I had not found it today, we never would have found it – the vines would have won!”
Here is a photo of the rescued Golden Russet apple tree (fondly dubbed “Russ” by our hero) after this stunning rescue. The vines that had clambered atop have been removed, as well as the surrounding tall grasses.
Rescued Golden Russet Apple
Some of the Defeated Vine Debris!
Our hero! Thank you, Bart Guetti!
The Mascoma River Greenway 