How to Kill Honeysuckle on a Fence

Honeysuckle plants produce unique blossoms, but sometimes their growth is overly aggressive.

Many species of honeysuckle serve as attractive groundcovers or climbers for trellises and fences. However, some honeysuckle plants, especially those of the vine varieties, ride a fine line between being welcome members of a home's landscape and difficult-to-control, invasive weeds. If you have honeysuckle plants that are too hostile in their takeover of your fence, clear out the plants permanently by cutting them and applying an herbicide.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning saw
• Pruners
• Drill
• 3/8-inch drill bit
• Herbicide
• Surfactant for herbicides
• Pump sprayer

Instructions

1. Cut all of the honeysuckle plants at their trunks, just above ground level, using a pruning saw.

2. Pull out all of the vines and foliage from the fence posts, rails and pickets. Cut the vines into smaller sections using pruners, if necessary, to make pulling them out from the fence boards easier to do.

3. Drill holes down the center of the plants' trunks, using a drill with a 3/8-inch drill bit.

4. Create a solution of herbicide and water. Use a non-toxic herbicide to protect children, animals and ground water. Create the strongest solution possible as directed in the manufacturer's instructions. A high-strength solution commonly consists of one part herbicide and two parts water. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for how much herbicide to make for the amount of plants you are killing.

5. Add biodegradable surfactant to the solution. A surfactant is an agent that lowers the surface tension of an herbicide solution, allowing it to spread easier and better penetrate the roots of weeds and plants. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding how much surfactant to add.

6. Fill a pump sprayer with the solution.

7. Spray the herbicide into the drilled holes in the cut trunks of the honeysuckle plants. Also spray herbicide onto the ground around the trunks. Apply the herbicide immediately after cutting and drilling the trunks; otherwise the trunks may have time to heal, which makes them more likely to start new growth.

References

• The City of Aspen and Pitkin County: Herbicide Information
• Greater Cincinnati Chapter Wild Ones: Twenty-Five Ways to Remove Armur Honeysuckle

Resources

• About Honeysuckle