Can you please identify this vine?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Surfer, May 28, 2010.

  1. Surfer

    Surfer Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    117
    Ratings:
    +26
    When we moved in about 3 months ago the bottom of the garden was covered in this vine which was wrapped around all the trees, the fence and everywhere else.
    It was so bad that when we took a rotavator to it, the roots/vine in the ground brought the rotavator to a standstill. Eventually we got most of it out but now see that in patches it is starting to grow again.
    The rotavator chopped up the roots/vine into small pieces what we were unable to pull out of the ground so loads of small bits and pieces, but we thought we would not see the vine again.
    Is there any way that this vine can be eradicated totally by treating it with some poison or similar before it takes over again or should we just pull it up each time it appears.
    Only problem with pulling it up is that it has very very long roots/vine that seem to run just under the surface of the veggie garden so we don't want to disturb veggie plants too much.
    Thanks for any help.
     
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,127
    I could be wrong but it looks like it could be Virginia Creeper Surfer.. Beautiful Autumn colours.. :thumb:
     
  3. Dave W

    Dave W Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2006
    Messages:
    6,143
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Anything I fancy and can afford!
    Location:
    Tay Valley
    Ratings:
    +3,035
    Virginia creeper for sure. Spray emerging growth with a glyphosate based weed killer e.g. Roundup and it should kill it in time.
     
  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,584
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,712
    Looks very like Ailanthus to me.:hehe:
     
  5. Surfer

    Surfer Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    117
    Ratings:
    +26
    Still unsure as looked it up and the pictures look different but as I am an amateur possibly I am wrong.
    I have posted some updated pictures. Please have another look. Thanks.
     
  6. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,127
    :scratch: Hmmm see where you are coming from Pete, but that is a tree & Surfer said it was a vine covering an arch that he chopped down, so still thinking Virginia Creeper, even looking at the new photos Surfer..
    :dh:Well unless of course you have an Ailanthus - or tree of heaven nearby,
    .. Ailanthus altissima; sometimes described as Ailanthus glandulosa*. Closely related species; Ailanthus altissima var. Sutchuenensis, and Ailanthus giraldii. [​IMG]

    but to me still looks like Virginia Creeper to me.. This is mine now & is allot further forward as it has not been chopped down.. It spreads by runners or running roots under ground & can be very invasive if not kept in check.. I cut my right back every couple of years.. [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I hope this is some help for you surfer.. :thumb:
     
  7. Surfer

    Surfer Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    117
    Ratings:
    +26
    Thanks. Yep it is very invasive and roots and vines run just under the surface. Your last pictrue clinched it. I just dug deep and found that a chopped up piece fo the vine had started growing again so looks like we will start to see a lot more of it coming up at various places where it has been chopped up over the summer months.
     
  8. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,127
    :thumb: Well glad we cleared that up then.. :dh: Oh dear though surfer, that is a shame but it will come up all over the place if it had a bit of a chop & rotovate.. If you really don't want it I would get some round up & just paint it onto all the baby plants as they appear & that should take care of it as it will go to the roots...! :thumb:
     
  9. Surfer

    Surfer Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    Messages:
    117
    Ratings:
    +26
    We tried pulling it up but it was a mammoth task as the vine and the roots were so intertwined below the surface and it became a never ending job. At the moment we have veggies growing in that patch.
    I think that the best option may be to let the stuff grow which will help identify the bigger pieces and then come autumn when veggies are all done, dig up the pieces that are growing, permanently deleting them from the picture. All the other pieces hopefully will have died and turned into compost for next year's veggie crop.
    Do yu think that this may be another way fo dealing with it or shoudl be just use something like roundup which will save us digging it up?
     
  10. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,588
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,127
    :scratch: I think even with round up you will still be digging out all the dead roots too.. :doh: I think I would just keep it chopped back in the veg area & go with your idea there, but anywhere else it is popping up & you cannot dig for whatever reason, paths etc use the round up there & 'twixt the two you should get rid of it.. :thumb: Best of luck..
     
  11. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    52,584
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +98,712
    I'd just like to say that the leaves of the plant in question are clearly pinnate, (leaflets along a central stem).

    The leaves on virginia creeper are digitate, ( leaflets growing from a central point), and usually five.


    I realise its not much help but I cant see the plant being virginia creeper, in those pictures.

    I'm not saying it was not present at some stage, but my guess is the rotavator has damaged some ailanthus roots causing them to sucker.

    I think digging them out next autumn is the only answer, failing that it would be a case of growing nothing for a season and treat the suckers with glyphosate in mid to late summer next year.
     
Loading...

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice