Knowledgebase
overgrown giant vines #780642
Asked January 22, 2022, 6:23 PM EST
When we bought our house in Annapolis, it has a neglected backyard with overgrown giant vines (diameter larger than my legs!), it also has wine berries, porcelain berries, and virginia creeper. I have been trying to kill them by cutting them and pulling those I can however I am only able to pull some and I wasn't able to kill all of them. I want to save the remaining trees left (others fell from snow and storm and vines helped to pull it down). I am growing food in my backyard so I do not use chemicals. I always have rashes even though I wear jeans and long sleeves. This year I don't want to be defeated and would like to know what plants I can plant under the trees in a sloping land that would survive against invasive vines and best method to get rid of them. I am trying to encroach the area little by little. Please give me advise on what to do. thank you very much.
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Getting a handle on invasive vines can be overwhelming. It is a good plan to tackle small areas at a time. If you do not want to use herbicides, you will have to use cultural/mechanical methods. Learn about the life cycle of each invasive plant to help in control.
Here are links including management options. Wineberry (reproduces by seeds, and through vegetative means including root buds and the sprouting of new plants from where canes touch the soil.
The drupes are sought after and dispersed by various birds and mammals (including humans).
Porcelainberry (The seeds of porcelain berry remain viable in the soil for several years so it can take persistence over several years to get an infestation under control. The berries are spread by birds and other wildlife), and
Virginia creeper - is a native deciduous vine and can be aggressive. While good for wildlife in natural areas, probably shouldn't be encouraged around municipal trees.
Once removed, replace with native plants that are suited to the site and soil conditions - sun versus shade, are deer an issue, etc. Mulch lightly to keep weeds down. You can look for competitive native plants to replace the invasives.
Here are links to removing invasive plants and planting natives. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/removing-invasive-plants-and-planting-natives
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/deer-resistant-native-plants
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/native-plants-sunny-slopes
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/native-plants-shady-slopes
Marian
