How To: Identify & Remove Invasive Plants in the Winter

English Ivy, Privet, Japanese Honeysuckle, Winter Creeper banner

Winter is one of the BEST times to win the battle against invasive plants. In this article, I’ll reveal why—and how YOU can protect your garden while the cold weather works in your favor.

Here’s the secret: while your native plants sleep under a cozy blanket of dormancy, many invasive plants remain green and visible—making them easier to spot. Plus, your desirable plants are less likely to suffer collateral damage while you’re on the attack!

General Guidelines

Wear Protective Gear:

Use gloves, long sleeves, and sturdy boots to avoid irritation or injury. Watch out for poison ivy, but don't feel compelled to remove it. Leave it and the birds will thank you.

Tools You’ll Need:

Pruners or loppers
A small saw for larger vines
A digging fork or spade
A tarp or trash bag to collect plant debris
- You don't want these weeds in your compost!

The Intruders

How to Identify Invasive Plants in Winter

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Appearance in Winter: English ivy remains evergreen, with leathery, dark green leaves that often have lighter veins. Vines may climb trees, walls, or sprawl along the ground.
Key Traits: Mature vines may produce small clusters of black berries in winter.
Where to Look: Commonly found in shaded areas, climbing trees, or forming dense groundcover in forests and yards.
Removal

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Appearance in Winter: Semi-evergreen in colder climates and fully evergreen in milder regions. Look for oval-shaped leaves and woody vines with peeling bark.
Key Traits: Twining vines that climb over shrubs, fences, and trees. May have black berries persisting into winter.
Where to Look: Found in sunny to partially shaded areas, especially along forest edges and roadsides.
Removal

Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Appearance in Winter: Retains some leaves in mild winters, especially on evergreen species. Look for dense thickets of shrubs with small, oval, glossy leaves.
Key Traits: May bear clusters of dark blue or black berries.
Where to Look: Found in hedges, forest understories, and disturbed areas.
Removal

Winter Creeper (Euonymus fortunei)

Appearance in Winter: Evergreen groundcover or climbing vine with dark green leaves that may have a silvery or white edge.
Key Traits: Stems root at nodes when in contact with soil, forming dense mats. Older vines may climb and produce small fruits.
Where to Look: Found in gardens, forests, and urban areas, often climbing trees or spreading across the ground.
Removal

How to Remove Invasive Plants Manually

English Ivy

Ground Removal:

Cut vines near the base to prevent climbing.
Roll back sections of ivy like a carpet, ensuring all roots are removed.
Dispose of ivy securely; do not compost.

Removal from Trees:

Cut the Ivy (Create a "Window"): Use clippers to cut ivy at head/shoulder height and at the base, around the entire trunk. This "window" separates the ivy from its nutrient source, causing it to die. For thick vines (over 1 inch), carefully saw through the vine without damaging the bark. Wear gloves and long sleeves to reduce the risk of poison ivy exposure, especially in winter.
Clear the Base: Pull all ivy vines from the ground in a 2-foot "life saver ring" around the tree, especially after rain when the soil is soft. Mulch the cleared area (2" thick, 3 feet wide) to retain moisture and deter regrowth. Keep mulch 3" away from the trunk to allow air circulation.
Leave Stubborn Vines: Remove ivy from the "window" only if it comes off easily. Do not pull deeply rooted or high vines to avoid damaging the tree or injuring yourself. Remaining ivy will die and blend into the bark over time. Ensure all cuts are clean for effective control.

Japanese Honeysuckle

Ground and Shrub Removal:

Cut vines close to the ground.
Dig up roots using a spade.
Repeat monitoring every few months for regrowth.

Climbing Vines:

Cut vines at the base and remove reachable portions from trees or shrubs.
Leave unreachable vines to die and decay naturally.

Privet

Shrub Removal:

Hand-pull seedlings or saplings.
Use a digging fork to remove larger plants, ensuring the entire root system is excavated.
Check for regrowth periodically and remove as needed.

Winter Creeper

Ground Removal:

Pull or dig out runners, ensuring roots are fully removed.
Roll up mats like a carpet for disposal.

Tree Removal:

Cut vines near the ground and remove portions climbing trees or structures.
Monitor for regrowth.

Herbicide Use as a Last Resort

If manual removal is insufficient or regrowth is persistent, carefully select and use herbicides as a backup plan. For a more in depth look into herbicides, check out this article, "To RoundUp or Not to RoundUp?"

Best Practices for Herbicide Use

Choose a Targeted Herbicide:
- Look for products labeled for the specific plant and situation (e.g., brush control, vines).
Read and Follow Labels:
- Follow all safety guidelines and application rates.
- Apply during the dormant season to avoid impacting non-target plants.
Spot Treatment:
- Cut vines or shrubs and immediately apply herbicide to the cut stump using a sponge or brush.
- Avoid spraying to minimize drift to surrounding plants.

Resources for Herbicide Selection

Local Extension Offices: Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service for region-specific recommendations.
Online Resources:
- Invasive Plant Atlas
- USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
- State-specific invasive species programs

By recognizing these invasive plants during winter and taking effective action, you can protect native ecosystems and prevent their spread. Regular monitoring and commitment are key to long-term success!