Davey Tree Flipbooks

54 AUTUMN OLIVE (Elaeagnus umbellata) PLANT DESCRIPTION Autumn olive is a perennial woody shrub that usually has multiple stems spreading to a height and width of up to 30 feet. Autumn olive's sweet fragrance fills the air during spring flowering. Once leaves develop, the silvery underside of the leaf helps this shrub stand out at a distance. LEAF: leaves are oval shaped with a pointed end and smooth leaf margins. The top of the leaf is dull green, but the underside is distinctly shiny and silver colored. STEM: Stems are dark brown to grey and with age become furrowed and coarse. Young stems commonly are covered with woody outgrowths that are sharp like thorns. FLOWER: Flowers emerge in summer, are dull white to pale yellow, and are very fragrant. It is very common for the fragrance to be noticed from the roadway in the spring. FRUIT/SEED REPRODUCTION: Red berries with white or light brown speckles cover autumn olive in the late summer to fall. Berries contain one seed per berry and are usually distributed by birds or drop around the parent plant. WHY IT IS A PROBLEM: Autumn olive overtakes wood lines that are often close to the roadway. This perennial woody shrub is not controlled by mowing and if left uncontrolled may create obstructions near the roadway. WHERE TO FIND Common to eastern and southern Ohio along woodlines and in pastures, autumn olive prefers dry soil and has a high tolerance to shade. CONTROL METHODS MECHANICAL: Mow to remove as obstruction near roadway, but partner mechanical removal with an herbicide application. CHEMICAL: Make ground applications following removal in spring or make foliar applications in late summer or fall before removal. CULTURAL: Plant desirable vegetation such as tall fescue to provide competition and reduce future seed germination. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: Prevent autumn olive from overtaking wood lines and creating obstructions. Control this problematic woody perennial with herbicides before it reaches maturity and requires mechanical removal. perennial BUSH HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera maackii, Lonicera tatarica, and Lonicera morrowii) PLANT DESCRIPTION Bush honeysuckle is a rapidly-growing, rapidly- spreading invasive shrub. This woody perennial has multiple spreading stems, maturing at around 15 feet height and width. Bush honeysuckle leafs out early and drops leaves late, giving it an advantage over native vegetation. LEAF: Leaves are oppositely arranged, oval shaped, broadest in the middle, tapering to a tear-drop tip. Leaf margins are smooth. STEM: Bush honeysuckle stems are light brown with vertical furrowed or peeling bark. Wood is brittle and easily broken. FLOWER: Flowers are white to pink with yellow pollen heads that extend from the middle of the flower beyond the petals. FRUIT/SEED REPRODUCTION: Bush honeysuckle is a prolific fruit and seed producer easily noticed in late summer to fall. Bright red berries usually grow in groups of four on the stem at the base of the leaves. Berries contain one seed per berry and are usually distributed by birds or drop around the parent plant or into waterways. WHY IT IS A PROBLEM: Bush honeysuckle spreads rapidly, overtaking wood lines that are often close to the roadway. Bush honeysuckle outcompetes native plants with its extended growing season by leafing out early and dropping late. WHERE TO FIND Common to central and southwestern Ohio along woodlines and overtaking wooded areas. Bush honeysuckle prefers dry soil, but is also common along waterways. CONTROL METHODS MECHANICAL: Mow to remove as obstruction near roadway, but partner mechanical removal with an herbicide application. CHEMICAL: Make ground applications following removal in spring or make foliar applications in late summer or fall before removal. CULTURAL: Plant desirable vegetation such as tall fescue to provide competition and reduce future seed germination. RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY: Prevent bush honeysuckle from overtaking wood lines and creating obstructions. Control this problematic woody perennial with herbicides before it reaches maturity and requires mechanical removal. Since bush honeysuckle stays green late into the season, take advantage of that while using herbicides. Making applications during this time will reduce collateral damage to desirable vegetation. perennial

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