You should remove burning bush if your yard borders a forest, wetland, or prairie. You should also take it out if your state lists it as invasive. The shrub spreads by bird-carried seeds and forms thick stands that push out native plants in wild areas.
I tried to take out a mature burning bush from my side yard three years ago. It taught me how stubborn these plants are. I cut the trunk to a stump and thought I was done. Six weeks later, a dozen new shoots grew from the base. I cut those too. They came back again. It took a third try with herbicide on the fresh cut before the roots gave up for good.
There are three main burning bush removal methods you should know about. For seedlings under 2 feet tall, hand pulling works great. Grab the base and pull straight up from moist soil after a rain. For larger shrubs, cut the main stems to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Then treat the fresh cut with herbicide within 15 minutes. The third option is basal bark treatment. You apply herbicide to the lower 12 inches of bark on standing plants any time of year.
For killing burning bush herbicide choices, you want triclopyr mixed at 20 to 30% strength with a basal oil carrier. Paint it or spray it on the fresh stump surface. The plant pulls the chemical down into its roots and dies over the next few weeks. Late summer through fall gives you the best uptake. Penn State says mowing alone makes the bush resprout hard, so don't skip the chemical step.
Ohio State Extension says you need to watch treated areas for at least two full years after removal. Seeds can sit in the soil and sprout the next spring. Walk the area each May and pull any small shoots before they take hold. I found new sprouts in my yard for two springs after I killed the parent plant.
Plan your native replacements before you start the removal work. Bare soil brings erosion and weed seeds. Have your new plants ready to go in the ground right away. Red chokeberry gives you strong fall reds. Winterberry holly feeds dozens of bird species through winter. Virginia sweetspire turns deep crimson in autumn. Space your new plants based on their full size and water them well through the first year to help your yard bounce back fast.
Read the full article: Burning Bush Shrub Care and Facts
