--- title: "How to Kill Honeysuckle Roots: Steps From OSU and UK" description: "How to kill honeysuckle roots and stumps: cut stump treatment, foliar and basal spray, and the black plastic method, as OSU, UK and UC describe them." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-kill-honeysuckle-roots publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # How to kill honeysuckle roots: the steps Ohio State, Kentucky and UC publish Ohio State Extension says to kill both the stems and the roots, because cutting alone causes more sprouting. Its main options are herbicide on a fresh cut stump, a foliar spray, or a basal spray, always following the product label. A University of Cincinnati botanist covers cut stumps with black plastic instead. GuideUpdated October 26, 20265 min read ## Never cut and walk away OSU says simply cutting the shrub off at the base causes prolific sprouting and more stems. ## Cut stump treatment Cut close to the ground, then apply herbicide to the cut surface as the label directs. ## Black plastic option A UC botanist cuts at ground level and pins black plastic over the stump. No herbicide. ## Follow the product label OSU says label recommendations must be followed. Its tables are not a substitute for the label. ## Watch for a year OSU says to monitor treated plants for at least one year. ## What is the first rule for killing honeysuckle roots? Do not cut the shrub and leave it. Ohio State University Extension says: “Simply cutting the shrub off at the base will cause prolific sprouting and increase the number of stems.” It says an effective strategy for mature bush honeysuckle will deaden both the above ground part and the root system, which removes the chance of sprouting. University of Kentucky says the same. Cutting the above-ground part alone is typically ineffective, and any control method must make sure the stumps are killed or removed. Herbicide steps on this page follow the extension sources. They are not a substitute for the product label. OSU says: “Label recommendations must be followed to maximize the potential for successful control.” Follow the product label for the mix, the amount, protective gear and any limits near water, pets or other plants. Do not use a rate or product that these sources list unless your label allows it. ## How do you treat a cut honeysuckle stump? Cut the shrub close to the ground, then apply herbicide to the cut surface. OSU calls this cut stump treatment and says it works well on bush honeysuckle. University of Kentucky calls it the most common and effective approach for large plants. The steps below follow OSU. 1. Cut the shrub off close to the ground. 2. Choose the herbicide type. OSU separates water-carried products from oil-soluble products, and the choice depends on when you apply. 3. For a water-carried herbicide, apply it to the outer 1/3 of the top of the stump within minutes of making the cut. 4. For an oil-soluble herbicide, you can cut now and treat later. Apply it to the entire top and sides of the stump, but not to the point of excessive runoff, as long as the stumps are dry and not frozen. 5. Apply with a spray bottle, paintbrush, roller or wicking device, as OSU lists. 6. Follow the product label for the product, strength and safety gear. University of Kentucky stresses timing: allowing the cut surface to dry will reduce herbicide effectiveness. It also says to avoid the method in late winter or early spring before leaf-out, because rising sap reduces the amount the plant takes up. OSU says late summer, early fall or dormant season applications have all been effective, and to avoid the spring sap flow. This is the method the [cut stump treatment](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/cut-stump-treatment) glossary entry describes. For the plant itself, see the entry on [honeysuckle](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/honeysuckle). ## What about foliar and basal spray? Both are sprays for plants that are standing. OSU describes each and lists which products it recommends in its tables. Method What OSU says When Foliar spray Diluted herbicide sprayed directly on the leaves. Only when the plants are within easy reach of the sprayer. Wet the foliage but not to the point of runoff. Leaves stay green late into fall, when many native plants are dormant, especially after the first hard frost. Basal spray A labeled herbicide mixed with an oil carrier, sprayed on the lower 12 to 18 inches of the stem. Stems wet but not to runoff. Areas must be dry and not frozen. Dormant season, winter or spring. OSU warns that spraying plants that are hard to reach can damage or kill valuable non-target plants through drift or overspray. University of Kentucky says basal bark treatment is not recommended where honeysuckle grows among or under native trees, because the products could harm native plants. ## How do you kill honeysuckle roots without herbicide? Two methods appear in the sources: repeated pulling for small plants, and a black plastic cover for cut stumps. **Pull or dig small plants.** OSU says pulling or digging of small plants is most effective after a rain, and is fairly easy because the plants are shallow rooted. It says essentially every root must be removed. If you repeat the work often, small shrubs can be eliminated once food reserves are exhausted. OSU says the key is to be vigilant. **Cover the stump.** The University of Cincinnati reports that botanist Denis Conover shares a no-chemical method for homeowners. The steps in the article are: 1. Cut the bush and any branch shoots low to the ground. 2. 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. 3. Plant native trees or bushes around the dead stump to discourage honeysuckle from returning. The article says 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 is a news article about one botanist’s work, and it gives no kill time. Read more in the post on the [black plastic honeysuckle method](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/black-plastic-honeysuckle-method-cincinnati). ## How long do you need to watch for resprouts? Watch for at least one year. OSU says: “Monitor treated plants for at least one year to determine if complete control is achieved.” Any plants that resprout or are not completely killed by the first treatment will need a follow-up treatment. University of Kentucky says follow-up visits are also needed to scout for new seedlings spread by birds and for plants missed the first time. The sprouts that show up are a form of [resprouting](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/resprouting). The guide on [whether a stump will grow back](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/will-a-stump-grow-back) covers regrowth from tree stumps. For a plant that sprouts from the base, UK says to deal with abundant sprouts through foliar herbicide application when the shoots are small, again following the label. ## What about grinding the stump? The sources on this page do not cover grinding a honeysuckle stump, so none of them says it kills the roots. For more on what a grinder does to the roots, see the guide on whether [roots die after stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-roots-die-after-stump-grinding). The pillar on [honeysuckle stumps and roots](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/honeysuckle-stumps-and-roots) puts all the methods side by side. Ask about it when you request your free estimate. ## Next step Start with the pillar on [honeysuckle stumps and roots](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/honeysuckle-stumps-and-roots). Call (513) 587-6772 or [send photos for a free estimate](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the fastest way to kill honeysuckle roots? The sources do not rank methods by speed. OSU says several treatments take time to completely deaden bush honeysuckle, and to monitor for at least one year. Cut stump treatment is called very effective by OSU and the most common approach by University of Kentucky. ### Does cutting honeysuckle kill it? No. OSU Extension says that simply cutting the shrub off at the base will cause prolific sprouting and increase the number of stems. University of Kentucky says cutting the above-ground part alone is typically ineffective. ### When should I treat a honeysuckle stump with herbicide? OSU says late summer, early fall or dormant season cut stump applications have been effective, and to avoid spring sap flow. Water-based products go on within minutes of the cut. Oil-based products allow a later return. Follow the product label. ### Can I kill honeysuckle without herbicide? A University of Cincinnati botanist reports that covering cut stumps with black plastic, pinned to the ground, kills honeysuckle without chemicals. For small plants, OSU says repeated pulling or digging can eliminate them if nearly every root is removed. ### How do I handle small honeysuckle plants? OSU says small plants can be pulled or dug, and pulling is easiest after rain because they are shallow rooted. It says essentially every root must be removed and the work repeated often until food reserves run out. ### Is it safe to use herbicide near other plants? Not without care. OSU says foliar spraying should only be used on plants within easy reach, because drift or overspray can damage or kill valuable non-target plants. Read the label and the safety data sheet before you use any product. ## Terms on this page - [Stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinding) - [Honeysuckle](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/honeysuckle) - [Resprouting](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/resprouting) ## Sources 1. [Ohio State University Extension: Controlling Non-Native Invasive Plants in Ohio Forests: Bush Honeysuckle (F-68), cutting](https://cfaes.osu.edu/fact-sheet/controlling-non-native-invasive-plants-ohio-forests-bush-honeysuckle) 2. [University of Kentucky Extension: Woodland Invasive Plant Management Series: Bush Honeysuckle (FOR-175), cut stump](https://publications.mgcafe.uky.edu/sites/publications.ca.uky.edu/files/FOR-175-Woodland-Invasive-Plant-Management-Series-Bush-Honeysuckle--Remediated.pdf) 3. [University of Cincinnati News: How to control honeysuckle without herbicides](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2024/02/uc-botanist-uses-nontoxic-way-to-kill-invasive-species.html) 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. ## Keep reading - [Honeysuckle stumps and roots: why they grow back and how to stop themCutting bush honeysuckle at the base makes it sprout more stems, because the roots stay alive. Ohio State Extension says an effective plan kills both the stems and the roots. Common options are a herbicide on the cut stump, following the product label, or a University of Cincinnati botanist's black plastic cover.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/honeysuckle-stumps-and-roots) - [Do tree roots die after stump grinding?Grinding removes the stump and large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches, per Iowa State Extension. The roots left behind break down over several years, per Purdue Extension. No extension page we found says all roots die, and some trees send up sprouts from roots that stay alive.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-roots-die-after-stump-grinding) - [What happens to tree roots after stump grinding, and will the stump grow back?Stump grinding removes the stump and large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches, according to Iowa State Extension. Smaller roots stay in the ground and rot over several years. Some trees send up sprouts from those roots. Termites and mushrooms around a stump are signs of decay, not of grinding.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/tree-roots-stumps-regrowth) - [Will a tree stump grow back after it is cut or ground?It can. Iowa State Extension says some stumps resprout after a tree is cut, and Purdue says roots can act as energy storage for sprouts. Ohio State describes dead ash stumps that regrew as multi-stemmed bush ash. Cut sprouts early and follow the product label for any herbicide.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/will-a-stump-grow-back) - [Black Plastic Honeysuckle Method From a UC BotanistA University of Cincinnati botanist, Denis Conover, kills honeysuckle by cutting it low, covering the stump with black plastic and pinning the plastic to the ground. The 2024 UC News article says this effectively kills honeysuckle without chemicals. It gives no kill time, and Ohio State Extension favors herbicide for mature shrubs.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/black-plastic-honeysuckle-method-cincinnati) - [Why Cutting Honeysuckle Makes It Worse (OSU, UK, UC)Cutting bush honeysuckle at the base leaves the roots alive, so the stump sends up new shoots. Ohio State Extension says it causes prolific sprouting and increases the number of stems. University of Kentucky says plants re-sprout and grow back even denser. Control needs the stump and roots killed or removed.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/why-cutting-honeysuckle-makes-it-worse)