How to Kill Wisteria?

Maintaining Wisteria is not a piece of cake. Maybe you planted Wisteria for its beautiful flower clusters and sweet fragrance, but things may go out of the hands easily. You may get into trouble if you don’t have enough knowledge about Wisteria or its characteristics. Now, do you need to get rid of your Wisteria?

Well, removing Wisteria is not easy like most of the other plants. They grow from the roots, so even if you cut down the tree, Wisteria will return after some time. Now you may wonder: “Then how to kill Wisteria?” Don’t worry; here we will teach you all the methods of getting rid of Wisterias in this article.

What Kills Wisteria Permanently?

Permanently killing Wisterias can be a bit complicated. Wisteria is, by nature, a vigorously growing invasive plant with high resilience. But, with continuous efforts, you can kill this plant completely. You can apply some widely used methods, such as:

Cutting and Herbicide Application

As the name suggests, there are two steps to complete this method.

Step 1: Cut the Wisteria vine in a close spot to the ground. Make sure you stop as much top growth as possible. This makes the plant weak and vulnerable to herbicides. Next, it is time to apply herbicides.

Step 2: After you cut the vine, immediately apply herbicide to the freshly cut stump. Use herbicides like glyphosate or triclopyr for the best results. The plant will immediately absorb the herbicide from the stump and kill it with time. For the best results, use a concentrated form of the herbicide and follow the instructions of the manufacturer.

Repeated Cutting

This is another easy way to kill Wisteria. You must keep cutting the plant to the ground level as often as it returns. Doing so will eventually exhaust the plant’s root system and kill it. However, this method may take even years to kill the plant completely, so you have to be very persistent about it.

Digging Up the Roots

This is a physically hard method but highly effective. Wisteria has a very extensive root system. So you need to dig up as much as possible to successfully kill it permanently. Any remaining roots can grow again, and the plant may come back. Keep an eye out for any growth and remove any roots if further needed.

Smothering

This method is designed to stop photosynthesis which will eventually kill the roots. After you cut the plant to the ground level, cover the area with heavy mulch, traps, or thick black plastic. It will prevent sunlight from entering and stop the growth and blooming of the plant. This method works best with the cutting and herbicide approach and may take months to even years to fully kill Wisteria.

Burning

Controlled burning can be an option to kill Wisteria in some cases. This is an uncommon method and needs to meet certain conditions. This method is not highly recommended and needs to be done under appropriate conditions and regulations.

What is the Best Root Killer for Wisteria?

The best root killers for Wisteria are systemic herbicides. The plant absorbs these herbicides from cut areas and takes them to the roots. It is the most effective way to kill Wisteria entirely. So, which herbicides should you use to kill Wisteria?

Here are the three most effective herbicides you can use against them.

1. Glyphosate: This is a non selective herbicide. That means it will kill any plant that comes in contact with it. You have to apply it on the freshly cut stump of a Wisteria. The plant will absorb this and take the herbicide to the roots. As a result, the plant will die from the inside out.
2. Triclopyr: This is another non selective herbicide like glyphosate, and kills any plant that comes in contact. But, it is especially effective for woody plants and vines, like Wisterias. It mostly avoids attacking grass and targets large leaf plants. So, it will be a great choice for you if the Wisteria has grass around it. The application is the same as glyphosate.
3. Imazapyr: This is an effective herbicide that is really effective for largely growing plants like Wisteria. You have to apply it in the soil around the plant. It is absorbed through the roots and effectively kills the plant. It worsens as this herbicide remains active in the soil for a long time. So, be careful while applying this to the soil.

Will Vinegar Kill Wisteria Vines?

Vinegar effectively harms and, in some cases, even kills some plants. So, will vinegar kill Wisteria? When talking about Wisterias, vinegar is not strong enough to kill the plant. Especially if the plant is well established. However, vinegar can cause some damage to the Wisteria in a vulnerable state.

Why is Vinegar not Strong Enough?

We already know that as long as the Wisteria roots survive, the plant will not die. Vinegar is applied on the surface level and doesn’t go deep enough in the soil to affect roots. And even if it does some external damage to the tree, it is not permanent because the roots are safe and healthy.

Killing Wisteria With Salt

Salt is also effective in killing various plants. Salt can kill plants by dehydrating them or disrupting their nutrient uptake. The question is, will salt kill Wisteria? Well, yes, if you can apply salt properly, it can kill Wisteria. But you must be careful because salt is non-selective and can harm or kill nearby plants.

How Salt Kills Wisteria?

It’s great to know that salt can kill Wisteria, but how does it actually work? Salt chemically known as Sodium Chloride, acts like a desiccant. It draws out the moisture from plant cells, resulting in dehydration and killing the plant. Salt can cause two effects:

1. Damage Plant Tissue: If the salt concentration is too high, it will disrupt the water balance within the plant cells. It will cause cellular damage and kill the plant eventually.
2. Affect Root System: If the salt is applied in the soil, it will interfere with the natural nutrient absorption of the plant roots. Ultimately, it leads to the death of the tree’s roots.

How to Apply Salt to Kill Wisteria?

The application of salt is a delicate process. If you make a mistake, you may end up killing other plants too. Then, what is the safest method to get rid of Wisteria using salt? Here is a step-by-step guideline you can follow to get the best results.

First of all, you need to assemble some tools you need to use in the process.

• Rock Salt or Table Salt
• Water
• Drill or Sharp Tool
• Protective Gloves

Step-by-Step Process

1. Cut the Wisteria plant: You need to cut the plant as close as possible to the ground level. Keep an exposed stump for the next process.
2. Drill holes into the stump: Drill as many holes as possible. The holes should be an inch wide and several inches deep. It will be helpful for the salts to reach the roots.
3. Apply salt: Fill the holes tightly with salt. You can also apply salt on the ground to damage the roots.
4. Add water: Pour water over the applied salts to help them dissolve. It will allow the salt to penetrate the plant and reach the roots.
5. Cover the stump: Cover the salt-applied area with a plastic trap to keep rainwater away from the salt. Rainwater will reduce the concentration and effectiveness of salt.
6. Monitor and reapply: At last, you just need to keep an eye on the plant and repeat the process if needed.

Note: Every part of Wisteria is extremely poisonous, especially the seeds and buds. So, always use gloves and full sleeves while handling the Wisteria plant.

How to Kill Wisteria Naturally?

As we said earlier, Wisteria has robust growth and a deep root system. So, killing it naturally is a challenging and, in some cases, lengthy process. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible. We have already talked about some natural ways to kill Wisteria, like digging up roots, smothering, using vinegar, salt, and mulching. Are there any other natural methods to kill Wisteria? Yes, you can also try the following methods.

Boiling Water

Using boiling water is a great method to kill any plants, including Wisteria. You can pour boiling water on the roots of Wisteria after cutting them to the ground. It will damage the roots seriously and cause death. But be careful only to pour water into the target plant cause boiling water can kill the other nearby plants. You may need to do it several times to kill the plant permanently.

Solarization

Another popular and effective natural method to kill Wisteria is solarization. Cover the stump and surrounding area with plastic after you cut the plant down. Make sure that you do it in the hot summer. The sun’s trapped heat will work like the greenhouse effect, effectively “Cooking” the roots and killing the plant. You may need to keep the area covered with plastic for several weeks or months to kill the roots completely.

Will Roundup Kill Wisteria?

Well, Roundup is not technically any herbicide. It is a brand name that covers a range of herbicides, like Glyphosate. As we already know, Glyphosate is a great Wisteria killer. So, the answer is yes! 

Roundup will definitely kill Wisteria if you can apply it properly and carefully. Applying once is not often enough, so you may need to apply it multiple times to remove Wisteria properly. The application of all roundups is the same as Glyphosate, so you can follow that method.

Wisteria Removal Cost

The removal cost of Wisteria is not specific; it depends on lots of variables. The size of the plant, used method of removal, location, and many are factors can change the removal cost of Wisterias. However, we prepared a general breakdown of its potential costs.

Size and Extent

The area and size of the plant can change the removal cost. The bigger the tree is, the more it will cost. If the plant is small and covers a limited area, it may cost around $100 to $300. Where if the tree is big and covers a larger area, it may cost $500 to even more than $2,000.

Methods of Removal

The method of removal also affects the cost. Labor-intensive manual removal can cost around $50 to $100 per hour for professional landscapers. In the case of chemical treatment, the cost can come down to $100 to $500, depending on the plant size. But root excavation is labor intensive, so it can range from hundreds to even thousands of dollars.

Location

Location is an important factor; the availability of tools and services depends on the area you live in. In urban areas, the overall price may be high, considering labor and tool expenses. Whereas in rural areas, the cost might be lower and change based on the availability of service.

Other Factors

There are some other factors like disposal of the wastes and damage repairs. If the Wisteria removal damages fences or walls, the repair costs will be added to the service. Same with the disposal of toxic Wisteria wastes. These additional services can increase the total Wisteria removal cost.

Estimation of Cost Using Professional Service

Here is an overall estimation of how much Wisteria removal will cost if you call the professionals. Remember, the price is not fixed and can change depending on several factors, as mentioned earlier. This estimation will give you an idea of how much money you may need to spend to get the job done.

• Small Jobs: $100 – $300
• Medium Jobs: $300 – $1,000
• Large Jobs: $1,000 – $2,000
• Hourly working rates – $50 – $100 per hour in manual removal method.

How to Control Wisteria Runners?

Controlling Wisteria runners is a persistent job because they are known for their aggressive growth. Do you want to control your Wisteria growth? Here is the deal: You can use regular and proper methods to control Wisteria runners. Some of the best methods are:

1. Regular Pruning: You can prune Wisteria two times a year. Once during the last part of winter and the second time in the summer. You can prune them heavily in these times. You should cut down runners as soon as you see them. Regular and proper pruning helps keep them under control.
2. Digging Up the Runners: You can find out where the runners are coming from and dig them up. We already know that Wisteria roots are deep, so dig as deep as needed to remove the roots of the runners.
3. Installing Barriers: You can make a physical barrier underground to prevent Wisteria roots from spreading in unwanted areas. Put the barrier at least 18 inches deep to ensure it blocks roots from spreading. Use metal or thick plastic as the barrier material.
4. Mowing: If the Wisteria spreads in open areas, you can remove the runners regularly. It is a persistent process and doesn’t kill the roots. But, it can damage the plant and prevent runners from establishing.
5. Mulching: This is an effective method that makes runners hard to grow. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the areas where you won’t want Wisteria. You can use wood chips or straws for mulching. It will block sunlight and prevent runners from growing up. Combining it with regular pruning will bring in the best results.
6. Herbicide: If the runner is already established, you can use systemic herbicide directly into it. Make sure that the herbicide is absorbed and taken to the roots for the best outcomes. But practice caution while using herbicides, as they can also harm other nearby plants.

Final Thoughts

It is a long article and covers in detail about killing Wisteria. So, what is the bottom line? In a nutshell, you can’t kill a Wisteria in one go. You have to be persistent and patient. 

Overall, the best way to kill Wisteria is by using herbicides. It takes less time, and most certainly can succeed in the job. But, as the Wisteria is a poisonous tree, be careful while engaging in any action with the tree. Remember to wear gloves and avoid any direct contact with the skin.

FAQs

Does uprooting the plant kill Wisteria?

Not entirely. Wisteria can regrow from their roots, and it gets worse as they have a very deep and spread root system. So, even if you uproot the plant, the can come back from any remaining roots.

How can I dispose of the wastes after removing Wisteria?

The best way is to burn the waste or bury it somewhere people don’t often go. Remember, the tree is poisonous, so while burning or dealing with the plant, secure yourself with masks, gloves, and full sleeves.

Can herbicides used for Wisteria harm the other plants?

If the herbicide is nonselective, like glyphosate, then yes, it can harm the other plants near the Wisteria tree if it comes in contact. Also, if you need to use herbicide on the ground, it can remain active for a long time and harm other plants planted in the same spot.