Honeysuckle too big - help!

16 years ago

Hi all, I have a number of overgrown shrubs that provide good privacy between my house and my backyard neighbor - couple of lilacs and honeysuckles, including one GIANT honeysuckle right in the middle of the group. I have just celebrated 20 years in this house, so the thing has got to be at least 30 years old. I've trimmed deadwood here and there, but not much. There is an ivy bed covering about the back 15' or so of my lot, with the shrubs at the back on the lot line. The trunk (yes I know it's basically a weed) is about 3-4" thick, and slanted toward my yard. Shrub is about 12' high at the highest point. My problem is that a large portion of the canopy of the tree is now shadowing beyond the ivy bed, and coming out over my lawn. I really do not know how to cut it back. I want the canopy to stay contained within the limits of the ivy bed. Problem is, since it's mostly deadwood on the underside of the canopy, the part of the tree that is providing the privacy screen is the part that is draped over my lawn! If I were to just slice that off, I will just see past the trunk into the other yard. I would just take it out, but I think it would be hard to get something new to grow there, b/c of shade from my neighbor's massive maple tree, about 10' south of my lot line. That is probably why my shrub is leaning so far out. I don't want to spend money for a professional trimmer... any ideas out there? How hard can I cut it back, and when should I do it? Thanks in advance...

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Comments (4)

hortster
16 years ago
Firstly, I don't know how invasive the particular honeysuckle you have may be in your region. You may want to check that out and maybe DO NEED to remove it, replacing it with a more acceptable larger growing shrub since many honeysuckle varieties have become invasive in different areas.
Having said and meaning that, the typical "rejuvenation" technique on honeysuckle is to whack it off about 9-12" above the ground. Angle the large cuts so that they shed water. If the plant is in reasonable health it should recover in a year to three!
hortster
Iris GW
16 years ago
I think you can cut it all the way to the ground and it will recover.

Yes, it is a weed and yes it is invasive. If you want to get rid of it, after you cut it to the ground, paint brush killer on the stump.
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
i am not aware that it is invasive in metro Detroit.. having lived there for 40 years .... but i dont keep track of all the invasives ....

its really hard without a picture..

but it is a proper shrub.. and if you google SHRUB RENOVATION [i did it for you.. link below] ... you will learn how to do it.. which would involve cutting out the biggest trunk.. about 3 to 6 inches from the ground.. and watching the rest of the plant replace what you took out.. faster than you will ever believe.. since there is no insult to the root system ...

but i would still like to see a picture.. if you could

good luck

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
Iris GW
16 years ago
Lonicera morrowii - noted as invasive by Michigan here.

Lonicera maackii - noted as invasive in Michigan here.

As always, just because YOU don't see it, doesn't mean that it is NOT.