An eyesore or environmental attraction? Jersey Shore homeowner in legal fight to protect her vines

[TexasTowelie]

Elaine Scattergood sees an “environmental attraction.” The borough of Avalon sees “overgrowth.”

The center of the conflict — vines, Virginia creepers to be exact, which have thrived on Scattergood’s beach block property for 40 years.

The town wants them gone. Scattergood asks why, after decades of being allowed to cultivate the vines, all the fuss?

The dispute, first reported by the Press of Atlantic City, will be back in municipal court July 15, after several meetings between and court appearances by Scattergood and the borough, which have failed to force her hand.

Read more: https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-jersey/avalon-20190623.html


VERNON OGRODNEK / FOR THE INQUIRER

[True Blue American]

1. Those vines can destroy a house.

They may look fine but do serious damage to the wood.

I had a Wisteria, never let it close to my house, but Lord the roots. They can actually lift the roof off a house. My Clematis is cut to the ground every year.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. My contractor found a large (dead) vine that had grown into our wall space,

pushing the wall outward.

[True Blue American]

3. I was reading a book

And it was found the Wisteria lifted the roof off the house.

I have a friend who bought nice two story house covered with Ivy on one side. They tore it down .the siding had to be replaced.

Regarding your experience the picture showed dead vines clinging to the siding.