World 060221

Removing Invasive Honeysuckles Without Chemicals
By Nadie VanZandt
Extension Master Gardener
University of Vermont
Do you know that it is illegal to transport, buy or plant
shrub honeysuckles in Vermont? This is because honeysuckles
are labeled “Class B noxious” on Vermont’s Noxious
Weed Quarantine list.
The invasive species include the Amur honeysuckle
(Lonicera maackii), the Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera
morrowii), the Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) and
the Bell honeysuckle (Lonicera x bella).
Imported from Europe and Asia in the 19th century as ornamentals,
and later used for erosion control, shrub honeysuckles
were not recognized as invasive species until many
decades later.
Honeysuckles can form dense thickets that prevent native
understory plants to grow. Over time, this reduces the availability
of nutritious food sources and ideal habitats for wildlife.
Like most invasive plants, honeysuckles are hard to eradicate
in the wild. However, in a home garden or yard with few
of these shrubs, it is possible to remove them safely and successfully.
Identifying invasive honeysuckles is easy. They are among
the first to leaf out in the spring. Oval-shaped leaves with
smooth edges emerge on opposite sides of the stem, unlike
those of native honeysuckles, which have serrated edges.
But the unmistakable sign of invasive honeysuckles is a
hollow pith (the tissue inside the stem). A clean, cross-sectional
cut with pruning shears on a one-inch-round stem will
reveal the pith. A brown, hollow pith identifies invasive species
while native honeysuckles have a solid white pith.
The following methods do not involve the use of toxic
chemicals. You only need a little elbow grease, patience and
perseverance. The method you choose will depend on the size
of your shrub.
Seedlings and young plants are easily removed by hand
pulling when the soil is soft and moist Take care to remove
most, if not all, of the roots.
A young shrub has a manageable root system. When the
branches are two inches in diameter or less, use a folding saw
to cut the lateral roots. This will help dislodge the crown from
the ground. You can then pry it loose with a digging tool.
A mature honeysuckle with a 5-to-10-inch crown is challenging
to remove with garden tools. In this case, you can use
solarization to kill it. The goal is to starve the plant by preventing
it from photosynthesizing. If the plant does not
receive any light, it will not be able to make food.
You will need a large, thick contractor-grade black garbage
Invasive honeysuckles, among the first tree species to leaf out in the spring, can be identified by their smooth-edged, oval-shaped leaves
located on opposite sides of the stem. (photo: Nadie VanZandt)
bag, some tough string or wire and landscape staples.
With a pair of loppers, cut the branches about one foot from
the ground. Cover the entire pruned shrub with the garbage
bag and tightly wrap the string several times around the base,
ending with a tight knot. Spread the loose part of the bag
around the base of the crown and staple it to the ground in
several places.
Keep the bag in place for a couple of months during the
growing season. Once the shrub is dead, you can proceed to
remove the stump.
Holding the stump by the branches, rock it back and forth
to loosen it from the ground. Pry it out with a fork or grind if
necessary.
Another method is to completely cut the branches to the
base of the stump. This is called basal pruning and usually
results in vigorous growth. If you repeatedly continue to
prune the sprouts, they will not be able to photosynthesize
without their leaves. This method requires patience and perseverance
but is not as unsightly as using a garbage bag.
Dispose of all parts of the plant in a trash bag and either
take it to a landfill near you or let the bag solarize on your
property. This ensures that no part of the plant regrows on
your site.
Lastly, refill the cleared area with other plantings to prevent
erosion and to crowd out any remaining honeysuckle seedlings.
More information on invasive plants is available at www.
vtinvasives.org.
SERVICE DIRECTORY
BUILDING GARAGES
FROM FLOOR TO ROOF
Starting At $ 13,000
24 x 24 garage, 6” concrete floors with steel
rebar, (2) 7 x 9 garage doors, one entry door.
Garages to your specifications, any size.
House Framing & Addition Work
Call 802-296-1522 • Ask for Ray
RANDY’S HEATING SERVICES
Get your furnace
cleaned, repaired
or replaced!
Sales & Services
TOYO On Demand
Water Heaters
Miller Furnace
System 2000 Boilers
Thermopride Furnaces
Service & Installation
Call Randy Duprey
Certified Oil & Propane Heating Technician
Insured & Licensed • Over 20 yrs. experience
802-498-8062
reduprey@gmail.com
GREG’S
PAINTING & STAINING
CARPENTRY
• Handpaint or Spray
• Metal Roof Painting
• Interior/Exterior
• Guarantee
• Free Estimates
• Reasonable Low Rates
• Neat, Quality Work
• References • Insured
Call 802-479-2733
gpdpainting@aol.com EPA, RRP, EMP Certified
Business Technology & Cyber-Security Services
Located in the historic Hangar Building
1970 Vermont Rt. 14 South 802.223.4448
East Montpelier, VT 05651
rbtechvt.com
Full Service Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric
FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED
24-HOUR
EMERGENCY
SERVICE
LLOYD
HOME SERVICE
Your Residential Service Experts
(802) 426-2092
www.lloydplumbingandheating.com
TRUCK FOR HIRE!
In Need Of A
Pickup Truck And
Helping Hand?
• Hauling
• Dump Run
• Landlords,
Residential
Clean-outs
Call Us!
Tom Moore
T&T Truck For Hire
Montpelier
802-224-1360
One-Ton Truck for Hire
Rotten Garden Manure
Plus Delivery Charges
Marshfield/Plainfield $20
Out of Area $30
802-498-3159
$
50
per yard
MULCH HAY $ 5/BALE
Since 1974
SERVICES
802-223-6577
407 BARRE ST. MONTPELIER
Professional
Carpet/Upholstery
Cleaning & Maintenance
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
or your money back.
www.MontpelierCarpetCleaning.com
June 2, 2021 The WORLD page 29