What is the black plastic honeysuckle method?
It is a way to kill a cut honeysuckle stump without herbicide, by blocking sunlight. The University of Cincinnati News article “How to control honeysuckle without herbicides” was published February 14, 2024. It describes botanist Denis Conover, who has worked to remove Amur honeysuckle in parks and forests across Cincinnati. This post was checked against the article on October 26, 2026.
The article says: “They found that simply covering the trunks in plastic such as black garbage bags and pinning it to the ground against the wind effectively kills honeysuckle without chemicals.” It adds that depriving a honeysuckle of sunlight will prevent new shoots from growing from its cut stump.
What are the steps?
The article lists three tips under “Tips to remove honeysuckle.”
- Cut the bush and any branch shoots low to the ground.
- Cover the stump and any exposed branch ends with garden plastic. Black garbage bags also work. Tie the plastic to the stump or secure it to the ground with garden wires.
- Plant native trees or bushes around the dead stump to discourage honeysuckle from returning.
Conover’s preferred method, according to the article, is to cut the stump at ground level and cover it with black plastic, secured to the ground with wire gardening staples. The article says he tried black weed control fabric, black plastic, clear plastic and inverted black plastic flower pots, anchored with wire garden staples.
Why did the botanist look for an alternative?
The article says foresters typically chainsaw the thick trunks and apply toxic herbicide to the exposed surface. Conover has been experimenting with greener alternatives. The property owner in the story, Kate Nordyke, does not use herbicides, which made it a good place to test methods. She said that left to its devices, honeysuckle will resprout and grow wider and thicker than ever. The Hamilton County Conservation District recommended covering the stumps to rob them of sunlight.
The same cutting problem drives all honeysuckle control. Ohio State University Extension says: “Simply cutting the shrub off at the base will cause prolific sprouting and increase the number of stems.” Cover or herbicide is what stops the sprouting. See the post on why cutting honeysuckle makes it worse.
What does the article not say?
The article is a news report on one botanist’s work. It leaves out several things a homeowner may ask about.
| Question | What the article says |
|---|---|
| How long until the stump is dead? | It gives no time frame |
| How long does the plastic stay on? | It does not say |
| Is there a study with results? | It does not cite one. It reports what Conover and Nordyke found on one property |
| Does it work on very large shrubs? | It does not set a size limit |
| What does it cost? | It says the process is “less expensive than herbicides, particularly since the materials can be reused” and gives no prices |
Since the article gives no time, use the follow-up advice from OSU: “Monitor treated plants for at least one year to determine if complete control is achieved.” Any shoot that appears needs further treatment.
How does it compare with the herbicide route?
OSU does not mention black plastic. Its fact sheet says mechanical control alone is usually not completely effective on medium to large shrubs, and that an effective strategy deadens both the above ground part and the roots, “most effectively through the use of herbicides.” The University of Cincinnati article describes the plastic method as an alternative for people who want to avoid herbicide.
Both approaches start the same way, with a low cut. Cutting and then walking away is the one choice the sources all warn against. For the herbicide steps, see the guide on how to kill honeysuckle roots, which follows the product label. A cut stump treatment with herbicide is one option, and covering with plastic is the other. Both aim to stop resprouting from the stump. The plant itself is defined under honeysuckle.
What goes in the spot afterward?
Native plants. The article says Conover plants seeds or saplings of native trees and shrubs near the spot where the honeysuckle was cut. It says cultivating native plants makes it less likely that honeysuckle will return, and gives oaks, hickories, cherries, willows, dogwoods and hawthorns as examples from one property.
Where does this apply in Cincinnati?
The botanist’s work is in Cincinnati parks, forests and a College Hill property. For the broader local picture, see the post on Great Parks and honeysuckle and the page on stump grinding in Cincinnati. The pillar on honeysuckle stumps and roots puts the methods in one table. Ask about honeysuckle stumps when you request your free estimate.
Next step
Read the guide on how to kill honeysuckle roots to compare the plastic method with the herbicide steps. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How does the black plastic method work?
The UC News article says depriving a honeysuckle of sunlight will prevent new shoots from growing from its cut stump. You cut the bush low, cover the stump with black plastic, and pin the plastic to the ground against the wind.
How long do I leave the plastic on?
The article does not say. It reports that the method kills honeysuckle but gives no time frame. If you try it, check the stump for sprouts. Ohio State Extension says to monitor treated plants for at least one year.
Is the black plastic method better than herbicide?
The sources do not compare them side by side. The UC article says the method is easy, effective and less expensive than herbicides. Ohio State Extension says mature bush honeysuckle is controlled most effectively with herbicides. The article is a news report, not a controlled study.
Terms on this page
Sources
- University of Cincinnati News: How to control honeysuckle without herbicides
- Ohio State University Extension: Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants in Ohio Forests: Bush Honeysuckle (F-68)
Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.