Honeysuckle and Black Locust

21 years ago

Hello all. I recently bought my first house which has a small, wooded portion on the land, mostly tall southern pines. This forum has been indespensible! I recently jumped into clearing out a lot of Japanese Honeysuckle. I am very new at this...so how can I make this stuff thats running all over the ground and into the shorter trees go away? I have the industry to take care of the stuff in the trees and bushes, but what about the whole system that is manifesting itself under the pinestraw that's pawing around for a new host? Don't get me wrong, I think it's very nice smelling and all, but in a few years we wont be able to walk through it if we dont do something about it.

Second thing. I recently identified a row of small trees, probably 3 or 4 years old, as black locust on the edge of a small drainage area on my land. That is in fact what the honeysuckle is mangling the most. Stay or go? Im at the very southern end of it's native area(perhaps even further south), and Im getting mixed messages about whether I should foster it or cut it away and start something else. Thanks, yall.

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Comments (2)

Iris GW
21 years ago
I would leave the locust for now.

I find the best way to work on honeysuckle is to concentrate my efforts in the spring: during the spring, the ground is damp and honeysuckle is easy to find since it is evergreen. Grab a piece and gently pull it - sometimes you can pull a large part of the network at one time. I take a black plastic trash bag with me and just stuff it all in there. You can't leave it on the ground or it will resprout.

The more you do this, the more effective you'll learn to pull. And of course, take your pruners and immediately cut off anything that is in the trees.
john_mo
21 years ago
Pulling the vines as suggested above will help keep the infestation downs, but they will sprout vigorously from the roots.

After doing some 'damage control' during the growing season, you may be able to get lasting control by using herbicide (glyphosate/roundup) during the winter, when (hopefully) desirable neighboring species are dormant. I have had good success spraying the green honeysuckle foliage during November-December in Missouri, though there may not be the same window of opportunity in Georgia.

Black locust is a lesser problem, espeically since yours are so small. Since they are small, you can probably kill them pretty easily by cutting and treating stumps with a brush killer. But I recommend that you ask around to find if this species is a 'problem' in your area. I thought this species was more of a problem (due to invasiveness) in the Northern states. Although not the most desirable native tree, the beautiful and fragrant blooms are very appealing.
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