Introduced via the horticultural trade in the early 1800s, Japanese honeysuckle was coveted by gardeners for its fragrant flowers and rampant, wild growth habit. Land managers also intentionally planted the species for its ability to spread rapidly, curbing erosion at vulnerable sites such as roadside embankments.

Japanese honeysuckle is tolerant of a variety of soil types in full sun to shade. Although the species is strongly associated with anthropogenic disturbance, this invasive is capable of establishing under a closed canopy. In the Hudson Valley, Japanese honeysuckle is commonly seen at lower elevations, in early successional habitats and waste places such as roadsides, shrub thickets, disturbed woodlands and woodland edges.

Although Japanese honeysuckle appears to reproduce well in North America, each fruit contains only 2-3 seeds and germination rates are not typically high. More problematic is the species’ aggressive vegetative growth, and ability to spread locally very quickly via runners. Vectors include birds and small mammals.

Japanese honeysuckle is an aggressive, woody vine that can cover understory shrubs and ascend into the canopy— although this is more commonly seen further south. As a ground cover, this species is capable of smothering seedling trees and other herbaceous plants, preventing germination and displacing native vegetation. The homogenous understory Japanese honeysuckle forms can drastically alter forest bird communities.

There is currently no single optimal biological control agent in use against this species.

Pulling / Digging Up: Pulling by hand is an effective method of control for seedlings and small plants as long as all the root is extracted from the soil. For larger plants, this is an inadvisable technique as root fragmentation can encourage re-sprouting.

Mowing: While mowing will limit the length of Japanese honeysuckle’s vines, it will encourage further sprouting, increasing the total number of runners present.

Girdling: Not applicable

Prescribed Fire: Consistent, low-grade wildfires appear capable of excluding Japanese honeysuckle from the target habitat. However, sporadic fires will not kill the vine, which sprouts readily from roots or stems buried in leaf litter or soil.

Prescribed Grazing: Not applicable

Soil Tilling: Not advisable. Tilling may fragment roots and encourage re-sprouting.

Mulching: Not applicable

Solarization: Not applicable

Hot Foam Spray: Not applicable

The pesticide application rates and usage herein are recommendations based on research and interviews with land managers. When considering the use of pesticides, it is your responsibility to fully understand the laws, regulations and best practices required to apply pesticides in a responsible manner. At times, the pest you seek to treat may not be on a pesticide label, requiring a 2ee exemption from NYSDEC. Always thoroughly read the label of any pesticide and consult the NYSDEC or a licensed pesticide applicator with questions.

Foliar Spray: A 2-3% solution of glyphosate is effective at managing Japanese honeysuckle, although a repeat application will likely be necessary. Infestations managed in this way should be revisited in 2-3 weeks to monitor for regrowth. Always read and follow all instructions on the herbicide label.

Cut Stump: Not applicable

Basal Bark: No information available

Hack-And-Squirt

Stem Injection: Not applicable

Pre-Emergent Spray: Not applicable

General management overview and recommendation: As with any other invasive infestation complex, large stands of Japanese honeysuckle are best managed via a combination of mechanical and chemical means. Spring wildfires or sequential mowing followed by foliar spray of the vegetation that re-sprouts will likely give the most complete control. Managed infestations should be monitored for at least three years to ensure exhaustion of the short-lived seed bank. Any new seedlings can be hand-pulled.

Post-treatment monitoring: Any infestations managed by chemical means must be revisited in 2-3 weeks to check for treatment efficacy. Although the species does not appear capable of forming long-term seed banks, treated populations should be revisited for at least three years to ensure no new seedlings have germinated.

Waste material can be crushed, chipped, burned or composted so long as management was completed prior to seed set. Any fruit must be bagged and disposed of, and any roots thoroughly crushed or dried.

DEC

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Missouri Department of Conservation