Comparison of Invasive Shrub Honeysuckle Eradication Tactics for Amateurs: Stump Treatment versus Regrowth Spraying of Lonicera maackii

Abstract

Elimination of Asiatic shrub honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) from preserves and conservation areas in eastern NorthAmerica is difficult because bird dispersal reintroduces seeds from shrubs in the neighborhood. To reduce this problem, honeysuckle control must be instituted on a broad scale and involve public participation. Many techniques for honeysuckle control are beyond the capabilities and inclinations of volunteers and local landowners. In a replicated study, we evaluated two suitable techniques and applied them in spring, early summer, late summer, fall, and winter 2009. These were stem cutting followed by painting with 18% glyphosate, and stem cutting followed by spraying of regrown shoots with 1% glyphosate about 40 days later. We regarded the spraying of regrown shoots as more practical for neophytes. Overall, cutting followed by stump treatment is more effective, killing 75-85% of individuals in spring and early summer, and >90% later in the year. Cutting and spraying regrowth was most effective in spring (56% killed), and poorer thereafter (20-40% killed). The result for spring was much lower than previously observed. Death rates for the cutting and regrowth spraying treatment were not affected by shrub size, but the amount of regrowth after spraying responded strongly to size. Cutting and regrowth spraying may be suitable in situations where reducing the competitive effects and reproduction of individuals is sufficient, or the resources to treat stumps with concentrated glyphosate are limited.

The effect of a novel herbicide adjuvant in treating Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)

“…While they saw similarly high levels of control (94% mortality), our study achieved equivalent levels of control with 30 and 60 g L −1 . Other studies have shown 90% to 100% efficacy in preventing resprouting within the year of treatment using ~88 g L −1 glyphosate (18%) in the cut stump method for controlling L. maackii, which is similar to what we achieved with our lower concentrations (Owen et al 2005;Schulz et al 2012). Use of the cut stump method with a 20% to 25% concentration of glyphosate (98 to 122 g L −1 ) is widely recommended to private landowners as a control technique (Miller et al 2013;Smith and Smith 2010).…”

Arthropod Communities on Native and Nonnative Early Successional Plants

“…Schulz et al (2012) found seasonal stem cutting, followed by an application of 18% glyphosate, resulted in a 75-85% reduction of L. maackii individuals, whereas stem cutting, followed by spraying of regrowth shoots with 1% glyphosate approximately 40 days later, was less effective, resulting in up to 56% of L. maackii individuals killed. Rathfon and Ruble (2007) tested four removal-treatment methods: foliar application, streamline basal bark application, full basal bark application, and stump cutting with a chemical application.…”

Reproduction of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and the arithmetic of an extermination strategy

“…If the goal is to eliminate an exotic species, much of the work focuses on removal techniques (e.g. Batcher & Stiles ; Schulz et al ). We argue that emphasizing removal rarely accomplishes ecological control.…”