Eliminating Wintercreeper - Strategies for Removing Wintercreeper Vegetation
In the battle against invasive wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), a persistent and opportunistic plant, a combination of mechanical and chemical methods is essential. This approach, tailored to the size and location of the infestation, can help manage or eradicate the invasive species in your garden.
For vines growing up trees and shrubs:
- Cut all the wintercreeper stems climbing the trees to stop flowering and seed production.
- Apply a cut stump herbicide treatment using glyphosate or triclopyr at about 25% solution to the cut surface to prevent resprouting. This treatment should be done throughout much of the year, avoiding spring when the plant produces new leaves.
For ground cover infestations:
- Small infestations can be hand-pulled or grubbed mechanically (e.g., mattock).
- It is critical to remove the entire plant, including roots, as wintercreeper can regrow from root fragments.
Additional chemical control tips:
- Because mature wintercreeper leaves have a waxy surface, adding a surfactant to herbicide sprays can improve effectiveness.
- Targeting newly formed leaves or physically damaging older leaves before herbicide application also enhances treatment success.
Precautions:
- Avoid herbicide application in spring leaf flush for greater effectiveness.
- When cutting vines climbing trees, be careful not to damage the host tree.
- For sensitive or environmentally valuable areas, mechanical removal is preferable to avoid herbicide impact.
Follow-up:
- Regular monitoring and repeated treatments may be necessary due to wintercreeper’s ability to regrow aggressively from fragments or roots.
- Replant cleared areas with native species to reduce reinfestation risk.
This integrated approach, combining pruning, herbicide application, mechanical removal, and careful timing, maximizes control and helps prevent spread in your garden.
Other Considerations:
- A thicker layer of cardboard and mulch (12 inches) may provide better control. Cardboard and mulch should extend at least 6 inches beyond the outer edge of the wintercreeper patch.
- Pulling wintercreeper should be done gently and slowly to avoid leaving roots behind. Pulled wintercreeper vines should be destroyed by composting or chipping to prevent regrowth.
- Purchasing invasive wintercreeper from nurseries can contribute to its spread.
- Wintercreeper threatens native plants and butterflies, smothering them and preventing photosynthesis. The dense mat of wintercreeper vines prevents the growth of seedlings, eventually weakening or killing the plants.
For more gardening tips, videos, and information, consider subscribing to our platform newsletter. Stay vigilant and proactive in your efforts to control invasive wintercreeper, and remember that consulting the local cooperative extension can offer information about safe controls in your area.
In the realm of home-and-garden, implementing an effective strategy against invasive wintercreeper requires a combination of gardening methods, such as pruning, herbicide application, mechanical removal, and careful timing. For instance, in your lifestyle as a gardener, you might consider using a thicker layer of cardboard and mulch (12 inches) to better control wintercreeper infestations in your garden. Additionally, to minimize the spread of invasive wintercreeper, it's crucial to support native plant species in your garden by replanting cleared areas, which can reduce reinfestation risk.
