combatting bittersweet and approaching neighbors about the problem

May 18, 2024 09:23:36

Bittersweet, Celastrus orbiculatus, is an invasive plant from east Asia. It kills native plants by girdling and vining on them, its weight eventually bringing the host plant crashing down. Bittersweet is toxic to both humans and pets.
I bought a property that is infested with bittersweet. Some people run triathlons; I dig up bittersweet. I am writing with two requests. One is asking for any tips on how to get rid of it. Does anyone know a researcher who can say when a submerged root is dead, unable to sprout new branches and leaves? I have come across 10” diameter roots that are definitely dead. On the other hand, I have seen 1 cm diameter roots sprout branches and leaves after being exposed to the sun for a few days. A collection of these parameters would help. Also has anyone noticed bittersweet growth veer away from another plant?

My second question is, “ How do I talk to the neighbors whose invasive plant are coming from their yard into mine?” Has anyone come up with a successful strtategy?

May 18, 2024 10:11:32

If your bittersweet is like our Ohio bittersweet, I've been trying to grow that for years. Ours has orange berries that as they dry, the outer covering opens up and gets a darker orange.

It is a wonderful cash crop for Halloween/Thanksgiving. Used extensively for and in flower arrangements. You might want to investigate possibilities, and then rethink getting rid of it.

May 18, 2024 21:49:58

Ugh, I spent a week a year for years pulling bittersweet. I would see those orange roots when I closed my eyes at night. It was trying to kill some of our beloved trees.

Persistence works.

May 19, 2024 05:51:16

Persistence as others have stated is key.

I have taken to cutting exposed bittersweet about a foot and a half off the ground. I'll let it resprout and then whack it again. Letting it burn through energy has been incredibly helpful.

I have some bittersweet on the border of my property with my neighbor. Depending on how much is infested, it might be worth offering to try and mitigate it for them. I found that people might not realize how 'invasive' some plants are and simply ignore it.

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