Controlling Invasive Wisteria: Chemical and Mechanical Management Strategies

Wisteria's stunning blooms mask aggressive conquest behavior. Chinese wisteria (Wisteria chinensis) climbs arbors, then houses. Annual pruning creates tree-form specimens, but neglect sends vines hunting vertical surfaces.

Chemical Control

• Glyphosate or triclopyr (follow label, avoid drift to desirable plants)
• If vine too high to spray: sever main stem, immediately apply glyphosate to lower cut surface
• Chemical translocates to roots partially—expect sprouts for 3+ years; remove promptly to starve roots

Better Alternative: American Wisteria

Wisteria frutescens blooms slightly later than Chinese but is equally beautiful and non-invasive.

See how massive the trunk becomes

Wisteria engulfing trees

American wisteria