Get It Growing for 09/27/24

As we transition into fall, many of us have been busy catching up on chores in the garden that went by the wayside during the summer — things like weeding flowerbeds and pulling up and replacing plants that succumbed to the heat.

Here’s another task to add to your list: removing vines. It’s a good time to assess where vines may be climbing and creeping their way into your landscape. Because they still have their leaves, vines are easier to spot right now than they will be in the winter.

If you stay ahead of vines, they're not so difficult to keep at bay. And if you already have heavy vine growth, it’s a good idea to address this issue, as these plants can eventually outcompete desirable plants and take over trees, shrubs and outdoor structures like sheds and fences.

Now, let’s be clear: Vines are not all bad. Virginia creeper and peppervine, for example, are native plants that provide birds and other wildlife valuable fruit in the fall and winter. But they also can cover a shrub or tree in no time. You have to use your judgment as to whether a vine is in a place where it’s better left alone or in need of removal.

We generally encounter two types of vines in the landscape. First, there are annuals such as morningglory. They grow quickly and have a fleshy, green stem. Then there are those pesky perennial vines. With a woody stem and a resilient root structure, perennial vines are a bit more challenging to get rid of.

But never fear! You can reign victorious over either kind of vine and reclaim your space with the right supplies and a bit of elbow grease.

Removing morningglory vines and other annuals is quite easy. Wearing gloves, follow the vines down to their base and identify where they are sprouting from the soil. Grab each plant close to the ground and pull it up.

Once you’ve detached the vines from the ground, remove any top growth covering bushes or other plants. Don’t neglect this part — the top growth often contains a lot of seeds, which will spell trouble for next year if left in the landscape.

Perennial, woody vines are a little more difficult to remove because of an extensive root system that allows them to regrow each year. If you catch these while they are small enough, you can pull them up just like you would an annual, soft-stemmed vine. But if you’re dealing with larger vines, you’re unlikely to be able to get ahold of all their roots. Even if you take off their top growth, they’re stubborn — so they will grow right back.

Your best bet is a herbicide with an active ingredient called triclopyr. This ingredient targets woody plants and vines by traveling to the roots and killing them at the source. Usually, one treatment will do the trick.

Several brands sell products containing triclopyr. Look for those labeled as “brush killer” or “cut vine killer.” It’s important to not confuse these with stump removers or stump destroyers, which are not herbicides and simply help rot tree stumps more quickly.

Before applying triclopyr to a vine, you need to find its base and cut the stem with a pair of sharp pruners. Next, if the vine is growing against a tree or shrub, place a piece of scrap plastic between the vine and the desirable plant to protect it. (Any misplaced herbicide could kill it, too!) Finally, apply the vine killer onto the fresh wound where you just cut.

A word of caution: Do not cut tree suckers and apply triclopyr, as it will travel to the roots and harm — or even kill — the tree.

Products containing triclopyr can be used at full strength out of the bottle with the included applicator brush. Some larger bottles may contain instructions for diluting the chemical and using it as a foliar spray for large problem areas. Just be careful when doing this — check if there are desirable woody plants or trees close by that could be injured or killed by drift.

There are a few safety tips to keep in mind when using triclopyr and removing vines:
— Read the product label thoroughly before applying.

— When pulling vines, wear study gloves that will resist thorns.

— Wear proper chemical-resistant gloves when applying triclopyr herbicide.

— Avoid making cuts and applying herbicide over your head.

— “Leaves of three, let it be” is an old saying but true as ever. Make sure you have a good idea of what poison oak and poison ivy look like before tackling those vines so you don’t get a nasty rash as a reminder a few days later.

LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg demonstrates how to remove woody vines.

Woody vines cover a tree. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

A woody vine climbs up a tree. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Use a piece of scrap plastic to shield a tree when applying triclopyr to a cut vine. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Apply triclopyr to a freshly made cut to kill woody vines. Photo by Randy LaBauve/LSU AgCenter

Annual vines such as this morningglory have fleshy, green stems, making them simpler to remove than woody, perennial vines. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter