Blackberry removal work party in Madison Park on Mother's Day

The Seattle reLeaf team, a tree and native plant conservation effort run by the city's Urban Forestry team, will host a work party to remove invasive Himalayan blackberry 10 a.m. to noon this Mother's Day, May 8 in Madison Park.

The work party will take place at the intersection of East Highland Drive and 42nd Avenue East, two blocks north of the Seattle Tennis Club.

Removal of the blackberry will prepare the land for reLeaf to conduct understory planting — the placement of flora meant to grow below tree lines.

As noted by garden writer Patty Hicks of Birds & Blooms magazine, blackberry is dangerous to the growth of other plants both because of its "greedy vigor" in taking up soil resources and because it is highly flammable when dry.

ReLeaf team members will provide tools, gloves and instructions for how to conduct removal.

Madison Park Community Council member Gene Brandzel noted at a recent council meeting said he believed ongoing efforts to remove invasive plants had improved the city.

"You'd be amazed at what the community can accomplish if they're willing to put in the elbow power to do it," Brandzel said.