Bush honeysuckle is a non-native, invasive shrub that forms dense thickets in Illinois woods, fence rows and field edges. Clearing it means taking out the standing growth, then dealing with the resprouts and seedlings that follow.
What bush honeysuckle is
Bush honeysuckle is a group of shrubs brought to the United States from Asia and Europe. University of Illinois Extension names Amur, Tatarian and Morrow honeysuckle as the most common invasive kinds in Illinois. Extension notes that Amur honeysuckle was introduced as an ornamental in the late 1800s. It was also planted for erosion control and wildlife. It spreads well. Birds eat the red berries in fall and carry the seed. The result is familiar to anyone with timber or a fence row in northern Illinois. A thick, multi-stemmed shrub layer that crowds out everything under it. Illinois lists several honeysuckle species under its Exotic Weed Act. For species details, check Illinois DNR or U of I Extension.
How to recognize it
Extension gives a few easy signs. Bush honeysuckle leafs out early in spring, before most other plants green up. It is also one of the last shrubs to drop its leaves in fall. That makes late fall and early spring good times to see how much you have. The green shrubs in an otherwise bare woods are usually honeysuckle. The leaves are oval, pointed and arranged in pairs. White flowers come in pairs in late spring, followed by round red berries. Extension also points out that the stem center is hollow. Illinois' native honeysuckle has a solid stem. If you are unsure, take a sample to your county Extension office before clearing anything.
Why landowners clear it
Honeysuckle shades the ground under it. Extension notes that it displaces native plants and makes it hard for light-loving species to survive. Because it leafs out early, it gets a head start on the plants around it. On hunting ground, a honeysuckle thicket can close off lanes and edges. In timber, it crowds the understory where young trees would grow. Along fence rows, it swallows the fence and creeps into the field. Around a home, it blocks views and makes the back of a lot unusable. Most people call us once it has gotten thick enough that hand tools and a chainsaw are no longer a sensible plan.
Mulching it out
A forestry mulcher is a strong fit for a heavy honeysuckle stand. The machine grinds the shrubs where they stand and leaves the material as mulch on the ground. There are no brush piles to burn and nothing to haul. The topsoil stays in place, which matters on slopes and timber ground. We can work around the trees you want to keep, opening the understory while leaving the good timber standing. Mulching takes the standing growth down. It does not pull the roots out of the ground. That is important with honeysuckle, because the root system will try to come back. Read more on our forestry mulching page, or see what forestry mulching is.
Follow-up: the regrowth you should expect
Honeysuckle does not give up after one cut. Extension says mechanical removal alone triggers vigorous regrowth unless it is repeated. Expect new shoots from the old root crowns, plus seedlings from seed already in the soil. This is where a plan matters. After a heavy stand is cleared, Extension suggests waiting for the flush of new growth and then treating it. U of I Extension publishes the control options and timing for honeysuckle. Read their guidance and follow product labels exactly. Regular mowing of regrowth with a bush hog also keeps it from going woody again. The goal is to keep the new shoots from getting ahead of you in the first few seasons after clearing.
Planning a honeysuckle clearing
Walk the property first and mark what you want kept. Oaks, walnuts, native shrubs and anything else worth saving. Think about what comes next. Open timber, a food plot, pasture or a lawn all lead to a different follow-up plan. Fall is a useful time to look, because honeysuckle is still green when most native plants have dropped their leaves. Send James photos or call (815) 240-9065. Tell him roughly how much ground is involved and how thick it is. We work across Bureau, La Salle, Lee, Whiteside and the other northern Illinois counties, plus the Iowa side of the Quad Cities.
The Short Version
- Bush honeysuckle is an invasive shrub; U of I Extension names Amur, Tatarian and Morrow as the common kinds in Illinois.
- It is easy to spot because it leafs out early in spring and holds green leaves late into fall.
- A forestry mulcher clears thick stands in place without burn piles or hauling.
- Mulching does not remove roots, so plan for resprouts and seedlings after clearing.
- Check Illinois DNR and U of I Extension for identification and follow-up guidance, then call (815) 240-9065.
Quick Answers
Is bush honeysuckle invasive in Illinois?
Yes. U of I Extension describes Amur, Tatarian and Morrow honeysuckle as invasive shrubs that form thickets and crowd out native plants. Several honeysuckle species are listed under the Illinois Exotic Weed Act.
Will honeysuckle grow back after it is mulched?
Expect it to. The roots stay in the ground and resprout, and seed in the soil sprouts too. Plan follow-up control for the seasons after clearing.
When is a good time to clear bush honeysuckle?
Late fall and early spring make it easy to see, since honeysuckle is green when most plants are not. Ground conditions also matter for the machine, so ask James about timing.
How is invasive species removal done on large areas?
On thick woody invasives like honeysuckle, a forestry mulcher clears the standing growth in one pass. Follow-up on regrowth is what keeps it from coming back.
See our forestry mulching service or call (815) 240-9065.