Kill the Shrubs: A Guide to Fall Removal of Invasive Honeysuckle

You’ll know invasive Asian Bush Honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) by their:

• Opposite leaf arrangement (leaves grow in pairs opposite each other).
• Fall fruit—usually bright red paired berries.

• Hollow stems, especially on smaller branches, distinguishing them from native honeysuckles, which have a solid pith.

• They leaf out earliest in spring and hold their leaves longest into fall, making them visible when other native shrubs have already dropped foliage.
• Spring flowers—white on Amur and Morrow honeysuckle, pink on Tartarian, and varying from white to deep rose on Belle’s honeysuckle.

These shrubs form dense thickets that shade out the forest floor, suppress native regeneration, and reduce wildlife habitat.

Why Fall Works Well

Fall is an ideal time for eradication. Invasive honeysuckle remains green when native plants have lost leaves, reducing off-target herbicide damage. In general, a combination of injury (cutting or pulling) plus systemic herbicide application is recommended for large groups of plants.

Removal Techniques

Pulling Young Plants

• Young bush honeysuckles are often shallow rooted. Pulling them out and allowing the roots to dry can be an effective, herbicide-free method of control. Sometimes, however, little plants are suckers from a larger plant and will not be easily uprooted.

Chemical Techniques

• Always follow product label: Be cautious of non-target plants, wind speed, nearby water sources, and the outdoor temperature. Wear appropriate protective clothing and use appropriate equipment.
• Tip: Consider using a dye marker additive in larger applications to keep track of where treatment has been applied. (A water soluble, blue dye is a good match for the following glyphosate examples.)
• Revisit treatment site: These treatments may need to be repeated over a few seasons. Observe the plants and surrounding ground over the growing season and check for signs of regrowth. Consider switching between herbicides to avoid the risk of herbicide resistance.

For Plants under ~4 ft tall

• Foliar spray: Apply a systemic herbicide directly to leaves (like a 1-4% glyphosate solution) using a sprayer. Follow product label guidelines for sprayer applications.

For Large Plants over ~4 ft tall

• Cut-stump treatment: Cut the plant back to a stump before immediately treating with a more concentrated (and still systemic) herbicide.

• Apply herbicide: A more concentrated herbicide (like a 20% glyphosate solution) should be applied to all freshly cut stumps (Asian bush honeysuckle is usually a multi-stemmed shrub, which would mean multiple cuts/applications made per individual plant). A dauber applicator would be ideal to reduce the chances of overspray or spills.

Brush and Debris Management After Treatment

After cutting or pulling, managing the resulting debris is crucial to prevent continued spread and to maintain restoration goals.

• Chipping and Composting
  • Use a woodchipper to reduce brush to mulch. Apply this mulch to paths or non-sensitive areas—not back into areas targeted for restoration, as it may still carry viable seeds or sprouts. When composting material, aim for a high enough temperature over a longer period of time to kill seeds (or don’t use compost in sensitive areas that are difficult to monitor).
• Burning (Where Allowed and Safe)
  • In safe areas, and with appropriate permits and conditions, small brush piles can be burned. Make sure local regulations are followed, and that the burn zone is controlled and monitored.
• Hauling Offsite
  • Bag small debris or load larger materials for removal to a central disposal site or composting facility. This prevents seeds from dispersing nearby.
• Pile and Dry
  • Stack brush in designated areas, away from sensitive habitats. Let it dry thoroughly before disposal or burning, which reduces seed viability and prevents vegetative resprouting.
• Solarization Under Tarps
  • Cover debris piles with tarps in a sunny area. An opaque tarp will aid in killing any remaining plants through sun deprivation and heat, and a clear tarp will solarize (use sunlight to cook) plant material.
• Regular Inspection and Follow-Up
  • Revisit treatment zones. Monitor for resprouts or seedlings and treat again as necessary to ensure long-term control.