How do you kill a very old and mature wisteria bush? This bush is very old and it has taken over the yard. This is in a yard that has been neglected for years and we are trying to get it cleaned up. These vines are running along the ground like snakes. They are in the tops of trees and smothering the camellia's and the azaleas bushes. How can we successfully get rid of this monster? We live in Mobile, Alabama. Thank you, Donna

-- Donna Dicken (Bean2571@AOL.COM), January 05, 2002

Answers

Hi Donna

I was just researching the problem of how to kill wisteria and came across your question. I'd like to shoot the person who originally planted wisteria on our property!!!!!:) Did you get any helpful replies? If so, would you be so kind to forward them to me. Good luck in the wisteria battle.

Linda Fiore

-- Linda Fiore (LJF110@aol.com), March 11, 2002.

Me, too, Donna. But I guess if no one has posted an answer since Jan. maybe there is no answer. But if anyone hears anything please let me know too.

Gloria in Louisiana

-- Gloria Geringer (yohonor@ix.netcom.com), March 31, 2002.

My extension service agent says to cut wisteria off to a stub (which, in and of itself, is a real chore when it has grown to a large size at the trunk). On the sawed off stub, paint it with full strength Round Up (you may have to repeat painting it for awhile). I have the same problem in Opelika, AL. Either this is going to work, or wisteria will eventually be the proud owner of my property.

-- Jan Neal (jboydneal@mindspring.com), April 08, 2002.

Same problem in Sylacauga, AL. I've tried the Roundup and even drilled holes into the stump and filled with it full strength Roundup day after day after day. The plant won. After appearing dead for the rest of that season, multiple upshoots appeared all over the place this spring. I must have fertilized the underground root system with the full strenth Roundup! HELP

-- r. Brantley (autiger64@yahoo.com), May 03, 2002.

I found this answer at this site http://www.alawild.org/WINTR_00_3.HTM , don't know if it will work. I think I will try just keeping after the Wisteria untill it is finally gone , these are probably some strong chemicals ! (Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) Nature: Semi-woody, legume vine (or shrub) that spreads by rooting vine growth and less so by seeds. One of three species in the SE with one other being exotic but rare, Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), while the native or naturalized American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is the more frequent but does not form extensive infestations like the exotics. Origin: Introduced from Asia. Range: Piedmont and Coastal Plain from TX to PA. Uses: Traditional Southern porch vine. Herbicide control: Apply foliar sprays of Tordon 101 as a 3 % solution (12 ounces in 3-gal. sprayer), Tordon K at 2% solution (8 ounces in 3-gal. sprayer), or Garlon 4 at 4% solution (15 ounces in 3- gal. sprayer) in water with a wetting agent and wet foliage until run- off in July to Oct. for successive years.

-- paula (paulapooh7@aol.com), June 09, 2002.

I have the same problem with my wisteria. I'm afraid there will soon be a sci-fi movie about the wisteria that took over my yard, my house, the town, maybe even the whole state of Louisiana. If anybody has any solution that works, please let me know.

thanks, donna

-- Donna Bush (d_s_bush@yahoo.com), August 17, 2002.

The Tordon method should work. Tordon is used in hard-to-clear rights- of-way, such as power transmission lines. Be careful not to get it on anything you want to save - it will kill essentially anything and everything.

Gee, I hope you guys are not using this on the wisteria species that grows the large hanging flowers - I've spent more than 15 years getting mine to flower; wisteria lovers will tell you it's a real chore!

Dale Schubert

-- dale j. schubert (djschubert@chartermi.net), August 23, 2002.

I don't want to kill mind yet, but would like to know how to get them to bloom. Mine is 6 years old and yes it is going everywhere. I just trim back all the branches that go where i don't want them to go.

-- Betty Maxwell (Bettyjmax@aol.com), October 05, 2002.