Talk to me about honeysuckle
We recently bought our dream property in rural Missouri. It’s 10 acres on a sheer ridge line with limestone bedrock very close to the surface. It’s not easily arable, so the forest was never cleared. Consequently, the property is dotted with centuries-old burr oaks and many grand hickories. The forest here obviously used to burn with some regularity.
Our long term goals for the property are pretty modest: large garden, possibly goats and chickens, all things we’ve done before and are confident we can do again. First and foremost though, we want the old forest to flourish. Unfortunately, the old owners liked their “green buffer†and our grand old trees are absolutely choked by invasive bush honeysuckle. Does anyone have insights on the best way to knock it back? I know honeysuckle control is usually a matter of “chop and herbicide,†but 10 acres of it? Is the best method just to get a brush trimmer and get after it? And then do that every year until it dies?