The Vine that Ate the South

Abandoned chicken house, U.S. Highway 19, Lumpkin County, Georgia

 

Most Southerners are familiar with kudzu. Imported from Japan and China in 1876 as an ornamental plant, it was widely promoted from the 1930s to the '50s for erosion control. In fact, my father, who was somewhat of a visionary and always interested in trying new things planted it on our farm in southern Indiana in the early '50s.

In the South, kudzu aggressively takes over any piece of ground that is left unattended, covering trees, buildings, and anything else in its path. It kills other vegetation, essentially by smothering it.

The kudzu did okay on our land and took over one field, but did not thrive to the extent it has in the South. Two of my brothers bought the farm from our Dad and attempted to exterminate the vine. I think they mostly succeeded, but not entirely. Which means that subsequent owners will have to fight the battle all over again.

The photograph is from my limited-edition book Georgia: A Backroads Portrait. It  was made just north of Dahlonega in 2006 with a Canon 5D Classic digital camera. The lens was the Canon EF 24-85mm f3.5-4.5.

Photograph and text copyright 2022, David B.Jenkins.

I post Monday, Wednesday, and Friday unless life gets in the way.

Soli Gloria Deo -- For the glory of God alone

My book, Backroads and Byways of Georgia, is now out of print, although copies are apparently still available from Amazon, and possibly other sources. The second edition is now in the editing stage and is scheduled to be released on December 6th.