How to Remove Kudzu

These recommendations are primarily for homeowners and communities that would like to start working in their neighborhood greenspace. For each species we recommend herbicide-free control methods, but have added an herbicide option for some species for those who are comfortable using them. These methods were selected while keeping in mind limiting soil disturbance, reducing herbicide use, and avoiding harm to other species that may be present whether they be other plants/animals. Manual removal is possible for all of them if you have the time. If the infestation is overwhelmingly severe or these tips aren’t proving effective, we suggest you consider qualified professional services.

 

Kudzu

Pueraria montana – Georgia EPPC Category 1 (serious problem in Georgia)

 

Removal of this species is rated as hard because removal is possible but difficult without professional treatment.

 

Kudzu

Kudzu

 

Cut and Treat

Kudzu quickly climbs mature trees to reach sunlight and can completely cover canopies. To stop this, sever vines at the base of trees. Do not attempt to pull vines down that are above your reach. Cutting at the base will kill the vine above the cut, and they will eventually dry up and fall off. 

 

Kudzu vine on tree

Kudzu vine climbing up a tree near the forest edge.

 

Cutting a kudzu vine

Use pruners or a hand saw to cut the climbing vine at chest height.

 

Follow vines down to the ground until you find the nodes/crown. Use a handsaw to cut into the node/crown and treat with herbicide. We use a high concentrate (between 20-50%), glyphosate based solution and add in an indicator dye to keep track of what has been treated. Be sure not to spray the herbicide anywhere but on the woody stem. Treat within 5-10 minutes, otherwise the wound will dry and the herbicide will not be absorbed. 

 

Cutting kudzu at base of vine

Pull back vine to get a clean cut, and cut vine as close to the ground as possible.

 

Spraying kudzu with herbicide

Directly apply herbicide within 5-10 minutes of cutting.

 

Dig Up Crown

If you prefer not to use chemicals, find the node/crown–the bulb-like feature at the top of the root system where energy is stored that many vines stem from–and dig around the crown to remove it from the taproots. Pull up the crown and remove any dirt. This method can be effective, but is very labor intensive. This method causes a lot of soil disturbance and is not ideal on steep slopes or by streams where erosion is a concern. 

 

Grazing

Hiring a herd of goats or sheep is a great option for an area that is completely covered with Kudzu. They do a tremendous job clearing all of the herbaceous vines. Cutting and treating or digging up kudzu nodes/crowns is much easier with all of the leaves and herbaceous vines cleared. This technique is also used before professional treatment to make access easier. 

 

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“Category” refers to description of invasiveness based on information from the Georgia and North Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council (EPPC) and do not necessarily reflect the severity of invasions in Atlanta specifically. View our Resource “Atlanta’s Top Invasive Plants (A to Z) Expanded List” for more information.

A great opportunity to learn is volunteering with us at a Forest Restoration project. Please view our Calendar of upcoming service projects or consider enrolling in our annual Forest Stewardship training program. For other species removal, also read: How to Remove Our Top 10 Invasive Plants.

If you have any questions about this guide please email restoration@treesatlanta.org.