Trumpet Vine removal - Ask Extension
Can you tell me how to remove a trumpet vine and stop it's spread? It's taking over my yard. The original vine is large and surrounds a trellis bu...
Knowledgebase
Trumpet Vine removal #842336
Asked July 24, 2023, 1:28 PM EDT
Can you tell me how to remove a trumpet vine and stop it's spread? It's taking over my yard. The original vine is large and surrounds a trellis but there are offshoots throughout my yard. A very good community arborist said he can cut it down from the trellis then apply Roundup to further kill that root system. I understood Roundup to be toxic and not good for the environment. Should I consider this or is there a better way? I want to get rid of the original plant and offshoots (which I now mow or cut at ground level or pull if small enough). Thank you for guidance on this.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
Roxanne, using a systemic herbicide, such as glyphosate, would be very helpful in controlling trumpet vine. Here's a write up I often provide on biology and control. It should address some of your environmental concerns, but please let me know if you have more questions. *Please note I'll be traveling for work from 7/27-7/31, so my responses may be delayed. Thank you for your understanding.
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is an aggressive deciduous, woody vine that develops orange trumpet-shaped flowers on mature plants and seed pods in the fall. It is often found growing on fences, up telephone poles, etc. Trumpet vine is native to Michigan, but can be a nuisance as you are experiencing. It is prolific, reproducing by seed, stems that root, and sprouts from the roots of current or past plants. The parent vine will need to be treated in order to eradicate the seedlings and off-shoots.
Plants can be pulled by hand, carefully digging out as much of the root and rhizome system as possible, but regrowth is almost guaranteed. Persistence can help reduce the root reserves over time, but it could take years to be successful.
Glyphosate products (such as Roundup Weed & Grass Killer, among others) are effective, but still require persistence. Woody vines can be cut and treated just above the ground with concentrated herbicide and growing seedlings can also be treated. Cut stump instructions are explicitly state on the product Roundup Super Concentrate.
When using products containing glyphosate there are a few important points to consider. First, as with any pesticide, remember to read and follow all labeled instructions. Second, glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide, meaning it will injure or kill other plants contacted during application, so care is needed to avoid green plant material, exposed roots, and injured bark of desired plants. Third, glyphosate is relatively safe in the environment when used as labeled. It adsorbs strongly to soil in most cases (i.e. clay and organic matter), allowing even sensitive crops to be planted shortly after application; meaning no carry over issues are expected. Fourth, glyphosate alone can take up to 14 days to show full activity under ideal growing conditions. Retreatment of the area may be needed depending on the degree of infestation. Glyphosate is most effective for perennial control in the fall but can be applied anytime the plants are actively growing (temperatures consistently above 50F). Finally, be sure that the product you choose has only the active ingredient glyphosate. Products with additional active ingredients may have other unwanted effects and may delay the planting of other plants in the coming season(s).
Another option that may be more potent is the active ingredient triclopyr. This can be found in products such as BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus or it can be found in combination with glyphosate in Roundup Concentrate + Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer. Triclopyr will persist in the soil for up to several months, so it is not recommended for areas that you will be planting desirable vegetation in soon. In addition to being well suited for controlling woody plants, triclopyr is also safe to use around grasses as it is selective, so that may be helpful in this case.
With either herbicide, reapplication may be required due to the aggressive nature of trumpet vine.
Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) is an aggressive deciduous, woody vine that develops orange trumpet-shaped flowers on mature plants and seed pods in the fall. It is often found growing on fences, up telephone poles, etc. Trumpet vine is native to Michigan, but can be a nuisance as you are experiencing. It is prolific, reproducing by seed, stems that root, and sprouts from the roots of current or past plants. The parent vine will need to be treated in order to eradicate the seedlings and off-shoots.
Plants can be pulled by hand, carefully digging out as much of the root and rhizome system as possible, but regrowth is almost guaranteed. Persistence can help reduce the root reserves over time, but it could take years to be successful.
Glyphosate products (such as Roundup Weed & Grass Killer, among others) are effective, but still require persistence. Woody vines can be cut and treated just above the ground with concentrated herbicide and growing seedlings can also be treated. Cut stump instructions are explicitly state on the product Roundup Super Concentrate.
When using products containing glyphosate there are a few important points to consider. First, as with any pesticide, remember to read and follow all labeled instructions. Second, glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide, meaning it will injure or kill other plants contacted during application, so care is needed to avoid green plant material, exposed roots, and injured bark of desired plants. Third, glyphosate is relatively safe in the environment when used as labeled. It adsorbs strongly to soil in most cases (i.e. clay and organic matter), allowing even sensitive crops to be planted shortly after application; meaning no carry over issues are expected. Fourth, glyphosate alone can take up to 14 days to show full activity under ideal growing conditions. Retreatment of the area may be needed depending on the degree of infestation. Glyphosate is most effective for perennial control in the fall but can be applied anytime the plants are actively growing (temperatures consistently above 50F). Finally, be sure that the product you choose has only the active ingredient glyphosate. Products with additional active ingredients may have other unwanted effects and may delay the planting of other plants in the coming season(s).
Another option that may be more potent is the active ingredient triclopyr. This can be found in products such as BioAdvanced Brush Killer Plus or it can be found in combination with glyphosate in Roundup Concentrate + Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer. Triclopyr will persist in the soil for up to several months, so it is not recommended for areas that you will be planting desirable vegetation in soon. In addition to being well suited for controlling woody plants, triclopyr is also safe to use around grasses as it is selective, so that may be helpful in this case.
With either herbicide, reapplication may be required due to the aggressive nature of trumpet vine.
