How to Kill Tropical Vines Without Killing the Hedge

Vines can quickly take over the surface where they’re growing.

Tropical vines of any species can quickly take over the hedges. If not removed, the vines suffocate the hedges and steal nutrients the hedges require for proper growth. Many herbicides kill the tropical vines but also damage and possibly kill the hedge as well. Removing the tropical vines is not a difficult process. However, removing them without harming the hedges as well as preventing the vines from growing back is more difficult.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Herbicide
• Garden sprayer
• Pruning shears
• Garbage bag

Instructions

1. Wear work gloves. Grasp the tropical vines growing in the hedge and pull them gently out of the hedge. Do not pull them out of the ground. Stretch them out away from the hedge instead. This allows you to see exactly where the vines are rooted to the ground.

2. Pour herbicide designed for vine use in a garden sprayer. If the herbicide is in concentrated form, dilute the chemical with water before use. Refer to the instructions on the herbicide label for more information.

3. Cut the vines with pruning shears at the stem’s bottom. Cut it as close to the ground as possible. Take care not to cut the hedges when cutting the vine’s stem. Stuff the cut vines into a garbage bag.

4. Saturate the remaining vine stump with the herbicide immediately after cutting the stump. The herbicide kills the stump and its root system.

5. Reapply the herbicide to the stump seven to 10 days after the initial treatment.

References

• The Ohio State University: Controlling Undesirable Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in Your Woodland
• Indiana State Website: Japanese Honeysuckle
• Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac Information Center: Control