What a name – Celastrus obiculatus! Toxicodendron radicans is no better. Perhaps Vitis Sipp is easier. These three names are the scientific names for the three most dreaded vines in my yard.
Celasrus obiculatus is oriental bittersweet vine – a native of China, Japan and Korea. It is believed to have stowed away on cargo ships. Vitis Sipp is wild grape vine. This is a native plant, but still undesirable. Celasrus obiculatus is poison ivy. Also a native plant – to be avoided, as I get a rash (although my rashes at the end of this summer seem better than at the start).
Each of these vines grows prolifically. They can kill young and older trees alike. The bittersweet vine will wrap itself around a trunk or a branch and literally squeeze the life out of the tree. All three vines kill most of the trees by growing so fast they kill the crown of the tree. The growth can dominate the upper branches of a tree, producing shade where there should be sun. The weight of this growth will kill younger trees as they are vulnerable to bending and breaking. Older trees will begin to die back.
I am aggressively hacking away at these vines. It is not an easy task. The grape vine is the easiest to kill. I cut the vine near the base and pull off any shoots that regrow. Eventually the vine dies. The bittersweet vine has an extensive root system. Cutting back the vine does not solve the problem, as it will regrow from any part still left in the ground – including sprouting from just a small piece of root. The roots are distinctive as they are a bright orange. I pull the vine while it is small and can get all of the root. Poison Ivy is a separate challenge. I have been cutting it at the base of the trees. This has eliminated some, but I have stands of it growing along the ground. Digging is effective if the entire root is removed.
“I heard it through the grapevine.” In my yard you would hear the screech of pain as I cut, whack and dig out these invasive vines intent on killing whatever they can grow upon.