Amur Honeysuckle - Ask Extension
Hello,
I have approximately 5 acres of woods and have recently found out using a plant identifier app on my phone that I have a substantial amount of...
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Amur Honeysuckle #870287
Asked May 27, 2024, 3:02 PM EDT
Hello,
I have approximately 5 acres of woods and have recently found out using a plant identifier app on my phone that I have a substantial amount of amur honeysuckle spread throughout the woods. I have been concerned about new trees growing in the woods for I haven't seen any. Now I know why. My question is, what is the easiest way to kill and eliminate this? I also have a number of other invasive plants including garlic mustard, (although I had very little so far this year), spotted knapweed (still have some large patches in my field), and a couple of vines.
Thank you for your response.
Genesee County Michigan
Expert Response
Scott, you photo did not come through (it's just green), could you resend?
For amur honeysuckle control on 5 acres you'll likely want to start working on a small area and then keep adding on as you see success. I would recommend reviewing this article by Ohio State University, it covers all the bases regarding control in a forested situation.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/F-68
If you have any questions after checking that out, please let me know.
For amur honeysuckle control on 5 acres you'll likely want to start working on a small area and then keep adding on as you see success. I would recommend reviewing this article by Ohio State University, it covers all the bases regarding control in a forested situation.
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/F-68
If you have any questions after checking that out, please let me know.
Hi Erin,
Thank you for answering my question. I have included some additional pictures of the Amur Honeysuckle for your review.
I'm beginning to think our property has become a safe haven for invasive plants. I have also found the following, which according to my plant identifier app are considered invasive. I included pictures of these as well.
- Black Swallow Wort
- Common Buckthorn
- Multiflora Rose
- Hairy Bittercress
The black swallow wort is the one that is really spreading now. Last year I tried to get rid of a large patch of it before it went to seed. This has now spread to the edges of trails going through the woods. As for the multiflora rose we have 3, maybe 4, areas that it is growing in. One is quite large while the others are smaller and should be easy to take care of. There are a few isolated areas that have common buckthorn and hairy bittercress. The spotted knapweed that I had quite a bit of last year is pretty much under control so far this year.
Thank you for your help.
Scott
Scott, wow, you do appear to have 'all the things' as my children would say.
I would recommend reaching out to your local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). For Genesee County it is called the GiLLS CISMA. Their website is here:https://www.geneseecd.org/invasives
They may have additional resources to help control some of those species designated as invasive, like the black swallow wort and buckthorn especially.
I am headed out of the lab for a while on vacation and will not be returning until June 20. If you have follow up questions and the CISMA cannot answer them, you can reach out to my colleague, Angie Tenney (<personal data hidden>) and she should be able to put you in contact with someone that may be able to help in my absence. I appreciate your understanding.
I would recommend reaching out to your local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA). For Genesee County it is called the GiLLS CISMA. Their website is here:https://www.geneseecd.org/invasives
They may have additional resources to help control some of those species designated as invasive, like the black swallow wort and buckthorn especially.
I am headed out of the lab for a while on vacation and will not be returning until June 20. If you have follow up questions and the CISMA cannot answer them, you can reach out to my colleague, Angie Tenney (<personal data hidden>) and she should be able to put you in contact with someone that may be able to help in my absence. I appreciate your understanding.
Hi Erin,
Thank you for your reply. To have "all the things" when it comes to invasive plants is not something I really want to have I think.
It's apparent that the amur honeysuckle has been established for quite some time and that's due to my lack of knowledge regarding invasive plants. The black swallow wort is the one I'm most worried about because it has started to appear in a couple spots near Thread Creek as well as on both of my neighbor's properties. For the buckthorn I need to identify other areas where it might be. The place that I found it so far is along the bank of Thread Creek.
Thank you for the link to the Genesee County GiLLS. I will contact them and see what effective means for controlling "all the things" I have. Have a great and safe vacation.
Scott
