Resources for Further Understanding
When identifying invasive species, first make the following observations:
Do the vines take over and look as though they are suffocating the tree?
If a vine is benefiting the tree, it should not cover the tree completely or look as though it is suffocating the tree.
If a vine is harming the tree, it will most likely climb higher, in thick twirls. It will be hard to see the bark of the tree and it will look as though the tree is being suffocated.
Is the tree already dead?
Sometimes, invasive vines progress so much that their roots have completely blocked the tree from water and nutrient access. In the case that the tree is dead, the vines will have traveled completely to the top, and the top will lack foliage as well as the bark will be chipped.
If you have identified the tree to be threatened by invasive vines, take the following steps to carefully remove the vines, and in doing so not damage the tree.
Begin cutting the vines at the base of the tree.
It is vital that the roots are cut at the base to prevent the vine from growing back. If the vine is less developed, cut it with gardening shears. More likely, the base of the vine will be thicker, so use a pruning saw.
Gently pull the vines off the tree, for about a distance of a foot.
If the vines are attached to the bark, be careful so as to not rip them off and damage the bark. This will help to prevent the vines from regrowing.
A commonly overlooked aspect of vine removal is soil replenishment.
Erosion can easily occur after invasive vines are removed, so it is important to know that when the shorter root systems of invasive vines and other rooted plants are removed, it disrupts the compactness of topsoil, causing it to erode. Therefore, when nonnative invasive plants are removed, it is vital that native plants with stronger root systems are planted, especially if the plant is on a hill.
