How to Kill Vines
Know what to expect., Determine the exact vine species., Pull or dig the vines out by hand., Cut away any surface vines., Do not cut vines and leave it at that., Smother the vine., Use animals., Pour boiling water onto the vines., Consider hiring a...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Know what to expect.
Vines are often one of the hardest weeds to get rid of.
They grow quickly and tend to root themselves into other areas as they grow, so they can quickly take over new areas and attach themselves to trees, buildings, and other plants.
You will almost never get rid of vines in one shot.
Once you start the fight, you need to be prepared for a long, drawn out battle against these weeds.
You might have more success if you use multiple methods of control.
For instance, the combination of physical removal plus chemical control often sees more results than the use of only one of these options. -
Step 2: Determine the exact vine species.
Most vines behave in similar ways, so the same basic techniques can be used no matter which vine species you are dealing with.
If you are having exceptional difficulty, though, take the time to find out which vine species you are dealing with.
Doing so may provide you with additional insight on how to kill them off.
You could ask a landscape professional for an opinion or post pictures online, via social media or yard and garden forums, for the opinion of others who may have dealt with similar issues in the past.
Wisteria vines are easily identified by the fragrant and small purple, pink, and white flowers that appear on the vine in the spring or mid to late summer.
They are notably aggressive vines.
Kudzu vines are another aggressive type of vine.
This species also has purple blooms, but its flowers smell sweeter than wisteria blooms if not quite as strong.
The vine itself can grow as much as 1 foot (30.5 cm) in one day.
Trumpet vines are invasive and can be difficult, but they are not quite as persistent as kudzu and other more aggressive species.
You can usually identify them by their trumpet-shaped blooms.
Blackberry vines are easy to identify by their fruit.
Even these vines are considered noxious weeds, though, since wild blackberry vines can quickly spread into other areas and steal resources from other plants. , If the vine is still fairly small, you should be able to track down the roots.
Pull the roots out by hand or use a shovel or trowel to dig the root system out completely.
For best results, do this when the soil is moist and soft.
You will be able to move more of the dirt around this way, giving you better access to the root system.
Dig out the entire root system, including any below-ground roots, bulbs, tubers, or rhizomes.
If you do not get everything, some of the leftover root system may take hold in the soil and start growing again.
Note that you might need to dig out vine seedlings regularly for a few months or years to keep the problem under control. , Even though digging the roots out is an essential step if you want to kill a vine completely, you also need to cut off and remove any vines clinging to buildings, fences, trees, or other surfaces.
If you leave these above-surface elements alive, it is possible that the vine will establish new roots and continue to grow and spread.
Do not compost the vines after cutting them away.
By adding them to an outdoor compost, you may end up mixing roots into the compost, and when that compost gets used in the future, it might end up causing a renewed vine problem. , You might be tempted to think that cutting the vines at the base can solve your problem, but as long as the root remains, the vine will live.
Moreover, cutting a vine back may actually stimulate faster, more active growth depending on the species. , Many vine species require large amounts of light and oxygen.
If you cover the vine with grass clippings or mulch, you might be able to deprive it of enough light and air to eventually kill it off.
Make sure that the layer of mulch is thorough, though, and that none of the vine can be seen peeking through.Similarly, you could cover the vines with plastic sheeting.
This will rob the plant of air but not light.
Unlike other coverings, plastic sheeting can quickly build up intense heat, which could also kill off the vine. , If you have a lot of land and the resources to care for animals, consider using goats or livestock to kill the vines.
Goats are notably voracious eaters, so they are generally able to hold vines at bay and prevent them from expanding any further.
Make sure that the vines in your area will not be toxic to the animals before using this as an option. , For vines that are not quite so invasive, you might be able to kill new shoots or cut vines by pouring boiling water onto them.
This may not give you dramatic results, but it can be used as an alternative to chemical herbicides., If you want to use physical control but do not have the stamina to do so, you should think about hiring a professional crew to do that majority of the work at the start.
Note that you will still need to follow up periodically to remove any random seedlings trying to grow.
This can be done by a professional crew, but it is fairly easy compared to the initial bulk of work, so you might be able to do it yourself without issue. , The chemical herbicides most effective against vines are generally non-selective, so they can kill plants you want to keep if you are not careful enough.
If there is literally no way for you to treat the vine without killing your other plants, you may want to stick with physical control measures alone.
If the vines are near other plants but not actually on them, you might be able to adequately protect those plants by covering them with plastic sheets or bags. , Use about a quarter of a bottle a quart or smaller in size.
Choose a systemic herbicide labeled for use against vines.
You need to use enough herbicide to completely wet the foliage of the vine.
Be careful, though, since applying too much herbicide can cause runoff into the ground and may damage the soil and nearby plants.
There are a couple schools of thought concerning the best time to spray.
Some argue that you can do so immediately, with the current vine intact.
Others argue that you need to cut the vine back, allow it to re-sprout, then spray the new, immature growth.
You only need to soak the foliage of the vines.
The chemicals are absorbed by the leaves and enter into the plant's circulation.
Once inside, the poison travels down to the roots and kills the vine completely.
If you have weedy vines, look for glyphosate or triclopyr.
For woody vines, stick with triclopyr, but go for glyphosate when used against herbaceous vines.
You might also consider using a herbicide with some combination of Dicamba or 2,4-D.
Note that these tend to be even more dangerous to use.
Note that even powerful herbicides may not be fully effective against some vines, like kudzu. ,, You are going to leave the bottle there, and you don't want it kicked over or broken. , Sometimes you have to pull some of the vine down to give you some spare length in the shoot, because, in the next step, you are going to put the shoot of the vine into the bottle. , You want it to stay in the bottle, so you can't be pulling a shoot that wants to spring back somewhere else. , In a week or two or three, the vine will die.
Leave the shoot in the bottle even after the shoot dies, as the vine will continue to soak up the herbicide, and you can continue to kill connected vine runners. , If you have large, established vines that sprawl over trees, shrubs, buildings, or fences, you will be unable to spray chemical herbicides in the usual manner without affecting the surrounding landscape.
There is, however, a way that you can use chemicals to kill vines like these.
It is commonly referred to as the "cut vine" method.This method tends to be most successful if done in the fall. , Use sharp pruning shears to cut the vine off near the base, leaving about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm) of vine coming out of the ground.
The stump you leave behind should be fairly short, but there needs to be enough for you to access without much difficulty.
Some vines can be cut using pruning shears, while others may require you to use a pruning saw. , Treat the cut portion of the stump with undiluted triclopyr.
Apply enough to coat the entire cut.
Work quickly.
You need to apply the herbicide while the cut is still fresh.
Treating the stump with herbicide prevents it from re-sprouting.
The vine will also absorb the chemical through the cut, and once this chemical is absorbed, it will travel into the root system and kill the vine at its base.
For especially persistent vines, like wisteria, you can use a drilling technique.
After revealing a stump, drill a 1-inch (2.5-cm) hole into the stump and any remaining vines using a 1/8-inch (3-mm) drill bit.
The holes should be about 1/4-inch (6-mm) apart.
Apply the herbicide to both the cut stump and the holes., Usually, the portion of the vine that is intertwined in your fence, tree, or bushes will die off since it has been disconnected from the root system.
Once this portion of the vine begins to wither, you can easily clear it out by hand. , This technique is usually highly successful, but you may still need to treat the area multiple times of the vine has taken root in multiple locations.
There is also some risk that the vines can grow back even after you treat them the first time.
You are fighting an ongoing battle, so you should be prepared to treat any reappearing vines as soon as you spot the first new growth. -
Step 3: Pull or dig the vines out by hand.
-
Step 4: Cut away any surface vines.
-
Step 5: Do not cut vines and leave it at that.
-
Step 6: Smother the vine.
-
Step 7: Use animals.
-
Step 8: Pour boiling water onto the vines.
-
Step 9: Consider hiring a landscaping crew.
-
Step 10: Evaluate the area.
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Step 11: Spray with a systemic herbicide.
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Step 12: Add water
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Step 13: but make the mix strength about 5 times what you would spray.You want the bottle to be about half full of mix.
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Step 14: Find a safe place on the ground next to the vine.
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Step 15: Find a fresh shoot that will reach the bottle without breaking the stems or find more than one shoot!
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Step 16: Put the vine shoots into the bottle.
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Step 17: Let it sit.
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Step 18: Identify situations when standard chemical control cannot be used.
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Step 19: Cut the vine.
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Step 20: Apply herbicide to the stump.
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Step 21: Clear away the rest of the vine.
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Step 22: Be persistent.
Detailed Guide
Vines are often one of the hardest weeds to get rid of.
They grow quickly and tend to root themselves into other areas as they grow, so they can quickly take over new areas and attach themselves to trees, buildings, and other plants.
You will almost never get rid of vines in one shot.
Once you start the fight, you need to be prepared for a long, drawn out battle against these weeds.
You might have more success if you use multiple methods of control.
For instance, the combination of physical removal plus chemical control often sees more results than the use of only one of these options.
Most vines behave in similar ways, so the same basic techniques can be used no matter which vine species you are dealing with.
If you are having exceptional difficulty, though, take the time to find out which vine species you are dealing with.
Doing so may provide you with additional insight on how to kill them off.
You could ask a landscape professional for an opinion or post pictures online, via social media or yard and garden forums, for the opinion of others who may have dealt with similar issues in the past.
Wisteria vines are easily identified by the fragrant and small purple, pink, and white flowers that appear on the vine in the spring or mid to late summer.
They are notably aggressive vines.
Kudzu vines are another aggressive type of vine.
This species also has purple blooms, but its flowers smell sweeter than wisteria blooms if not quite as strong.
The vine itself can grow as much as 1 foot (30.5 cm) in one day.
Trumpet vines are invasive and can be difficult, but they are not quite as persistent as kudzu and other more aggressive species.
You can usually identify them by their trumpet-shaped blooms.
Blackberry vines are easy to identify by their fruit.
Even these vines are considered noxious weeds, though, since wild blackberry vines can quickly spread into other areas and steal resources from other plants. , If the vine is still fairly small, you should be able to track down the roots.
Pull the roots out by hand or use a shovel or trowel to dig the root system out completely.
For best results, do this when the soil is moist and soft.
You will be able to move more of the dirt around this way, giving you better access to the root system.
Dig out the entire root system, including any below-ground roots, bulbs, tubers, or rhizomes.
If you do not get everything, some of the leftover root system may take hold in the soil and start growing again.
Note that you might need to dig out vine seedlings regularly for a few months or years to keep the problem under control. , Even though digging the roots out is an essential step if you want to kill a vine completely, you also need to cut off and remove any vines clinging to buildings, fences, trees, or other surfaces.
If you leave these above-surface elements alive, it is possible that the vine will establish new roots and continue to grow and spread.
Do not compost the vines after cutting them away.
By adding them to an outdoor compost, you may end up mixing roots into the compost, and when that compost gets used in the future, it might end up causing a renewed vine problem. , You might be tempted to think that cutting the vines at the base can solve your problem, but as long as the root remains, the vine will live.
Moreover, cutting a vine back may actually stimulate faster, more active growth depending on the species. , Many vine species require large amounts of light and oxygen.
If you cover the vine with grass clippings or mulch, you might be able to deprive it of enough light and air to eventually kill it off.
Make sure that the layer of mulch is thorough, though, and that none of the vine can be seen peeking through.Similarly, you could cover the vines with plastic sheeting.
This will rob the plant of air but not light.
Unlike other coverings, plastic sheeting can quickly build up intense heat, which could also kill off the vine. , If you have a lot of land and the resources to care for animals, consider using goats or livestock to kill the vines.
Goats are notably voracious eaters, so they are generally able to hold vines at bay and prevent them from expanding any further.
Make sure that the vines in your area will not be toxic to the animals before using this as an option. , For vines that are not quite so invasive, you might be able to kill new shoots or cut vines by pouring boiling water onto them.
This may not give you dramatic results, but it can be used as an alternative to chemical herbicides., If you want to use physical control but do not have the stamina to do so, you should think about hiring a professional crew to do that majority of the work at the start.
Note that you will still need to follow up periodically to remove any random seedlings trying to grow.
This can be done by a professional crew, but it is fairly easy compared to the initial bulk of work, so you might be able to do it yourself without issue. , The chemical herbicides most effective against vines are generally non-selective, so they can kill plants you want to keep if you are not careful enough.
If there is literally no way for you to treat the vine without killing your other plants, you may want to stick with physical control measures alone.
If the vines are near other plants but not actually on them, you might be able to adequately protect those plants by covering them with plastic sheets or bags. , Use about a quarter of a bottle a quart or smaller in size.
Choose a systemic herbicide labeled for use against vines.
You need to use enough herbicide to completely wet the foliage of the vine.
Be careful, though, since applying too much herbicide can cause runoff into the ground and may damage the soil and nearby plants.
There are a couple schools of thought concerning the best time to spray.
Some argue that you can do so immediately, with the current vine intact.
Others argue that you need to cut the vine back, allow it to re-sprout, then spray the new, immature growth.
You only need to soak the foliage of the vines.
The chemicals are absorbed by the leaves and enter into the plant's circulation.
Once inside, the poison travels down to the roots and kills the vine completely.
If you have weedy vines, look for glyphosate or triclopyr.
For woody vines, stick with triclopyr, but go for glyphosate when used against herbaceous vines.
You might also consider using a herbicide with some combination of Dicamba or 2,4-D.
Note that these tend to be even more dangerous to use.
Note that even powerful herbicides may not be fully effective against some vines, like kudzu. ,, You are going to leave the bottle there, and you don't want it kicked over or broken. , Sometimes you have to pull some of the vine down to give you some spare length in the shoot, because, in the next step, you are going to put the shoot of the vine into the bottle. , You want it to stay in the bottle, so you can't be pulling a shoot that wants to spring back somewhere else. , In a week or two or three, the vine will die.
Leave the shoot in the bottle even after the shoot dies, as the vine will continue to soak up the herbicide, and you can continue to kill connected vine runners. , If you have large, established vines that sprawl over trees, shrubs, buildings, or fences, you will be unable to spray chemical herbicides in the usual manner without affecting the surrounding landscape.
There is, however, a way that you can use chemicals to kill vines like these.
It is commonly referred to as the "cut vine" method.This method tends to be most successful if done in the fall. , Use sharp pruning shears to cut the vine off near the base, leaving about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm) of vine coming out of the ground.
The stump you leave behind should be fairly short, but there needs to be enough for you to access without much difficulty.
Some vines can be cut using pruning shears, while others may require you to use a pruning saw. , Treat the cut portion of the stump with undiluted triclopyr.
Apply enough to coat the entire cut.
Work quickly.
You need to apply the herbicide while the cut is still fresh.
Treating the stump with herbicide prevents it from re-sprouting.
The vine will also absorb the chemical through the cut, and once this chemical is absorbed, it will travel into the root system and kill the vine at its base.
For especially persistent vines, like wisteria, you can use a drilling technique.
After revealing a stump, drill a 1-inch (2.5-cm) hole into the stump and any remaining vines using a 1/8-inch (3-mm) drill bit.
The holes should be about 1/4-inch (6-mm) apart.
Apply the herbicide to both the cut stump and the holes., Usually, the portion of the vine that is intertwined in your fence, tree, or bushes will die off since it has been disconnected from the root system.
Once this portion of the vine begins to wither, you can easily clear it out by hand. , This technique is usually highly successful, but you may still need to treat the area multiple times of the vine has taken root in multiple locations.
There is also some risk that the vines can grow back even after you treat them the first time.
You are fighting an ongoing battle, so you should be prepared to treat any reappearing vines as soon as you spot the first new growth.
About the Author
Alexis Campbell
Creates helpful guides on organization to inspire and educate readers.
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