Invasive Species of Grape Vines

Some wild grape vines grow as tall as trees.

Grapes are sweet, refreshing and versatile; they can be made into wine, juice, raisins or eaten just as they are. Wonderful as this fruit is, some vines can become invasive and cause problems for homeowners. Most invasive vines are native to the U.S. and belong to the Vitis species. In addition to the native species, there is one non-native invasive called the porcelain-berry.

Porcelain-Berry

Native to Asia, porcelain-berry has three to five lobed, bright green leaves and multicolored berries. It is capable of climbing to heights of 20 feet and thrives in a variety of conditions. It is found from New England to North Carolina then west to Michigan. It climbs in sprawling mats over trees, shrubs and any other plants, strangling or shading them out.

Porcelain-Berry Control

Porcelain-berry is available at garden centers and, according to the University of Maine, the first step in control is to avoid planting it in your landscape. Hand-pulling is effective against young plants or for small infestations. Burn any fruit that you find on plants to render the seeds nonviable. Spot applications of herbicide are preferable to broad spectrum applications as porcelain-berry is often entangled with valued landscape plants. Herbicides should be applied in late summer for maximum effectiveness. Products containing the chemicals triclopyr or glyphosate are both effective against porcelain-berry.

Native Wild Grape

According to Ohio State University 50 to 60 species of wild grape are native to the U.S. Many of these species are classified as noxious weeds for their tendency to climb and overtake everything in their path. Wild grape vines are capable of growing to the tops of trees and then spreading over the forest canopy, effectively shading out anything below. Some species of wild grape include, frost grapes, summer grapes, fox grapes and possum grapes.

Wild Grape Control

Mechanical control is preferable to herbicides in controlling wild grapes according to Penn State University. Cut vines growing up tall trees or intermingled with large shrubs two or three feet from the ground. Grape vines do not thrive in the shade and won't survive if they're shaded out by these plants. Dig up young or small vines. Use herbicides only if necessary and avoid damaging any desired landscape plants entwined with the vine.

References

• Maryland Cooperative Extension; Invasive Plant Control in Maryland; Ellen Nibali, et al.
• Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center: Wild Grapes
• Penn State University Extension: Wild Grape
• University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Porcelainberry