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KSN News


BIOLOGISTS FIGHT INVASIVE PLANT TAKING OVER KANSAS GREEN SPACES

By Matthew Self,

13 days ago

TOPEKA, Kan. ( KSNT ) – It smells sweet and is easy on the eyes, but this
invasive plant is slowly taking over outdoor areas across the Sunflower State.

KSNT News spoke with state and local experts and efforts to contain the spread
of invasive honeysuckle plants. The plant can be found in bush and vine
varieties, but with the bushes being more aggressive, it’s creating angst for
members of the Kansas Forest Service ( KFS ).



Forest Health Coordinator Ryan Rostok with the KFS spoke with KSNT about efforts
underway to contain and control the spread of honeysuckle in Kansas. At this
time of year, bush honeysuckle is easily distinguished from other plants in
local green spaces and forests. Bearing white flowers with a sweet smell in the
spring and red berries in the fall, bush honeysuckle is not difficult to spot.

Invasive species crowds out native plants on Kansas lakes

“This time of the year, trees are going into dormancy,” Rostok said. “You’ll see
a lot of green still in the understory from honeysuckle as it stays greener a
lot later into the season than our native trees.”

Rostok said the threat posed by honeysuckle shouldn’t be underestimated due to
its natural qualities.



“It’s probably among one of the bigger threats to our native ecosystem here in
Kansas, especially in the eastern third of the state,” Rostok said. “It’s very
persistent and hardy.”

Once honeysuckle is established in a forest, it is difficult to remove it. The
bush honeysuckle can take hold of the understory area, pushing out native plants
and soaking up the sunlight that native plants rely on to survive. Plant
diversity plummets, replaced by the invasive honeysuckle.



“It’s the first to get its leaves in the spring and the last to lose them in the
fall,” Rostok said. “The issue there is that it tends to become a mono-crop in
the understory. It outcompetes other native vegetation that provide more
diversity in the ecosystem and for pollinators.”

Park District Manager Tom Hammer with Shawnee County Parks and Recreation
(SCP+R) said efforts to control honeysuckle in the local area have been ongoing
since before he joined the department in 1999. Areas like Skyline Park, Dornwood
Park and along the Shunga Trail have felt the impact of the invasive species,
which soak up around $5,000 annually from SCP+R to control it.

Hammer said efforts to control honeysuckle include the use of herbicides, mowing
and fire. Each method, or combination, is used depending on the area in
question.



“It’s kind of like controlling every other type of weed or plant,” Hammer said.
“You have to do a little bit of everything.”

When will frozen iguanas start falling from trees in Florida?

Rostok said his role with the KFS has been to bring awareness to the issue and
help people come up with strategies to fight back against the invasive plants.
Rostok said there are several different methods private landowners can use to
remove honeysuckle but warned that once the place has become established
somewhere, it is difficult to control.

“Awareness is key,” Rostok said. “As people are driving down the highway,
especially mid to late November, you’re able to see a whole layer in these
deciduous forests. You’ll be able to see the sheer scale of this thing.”

Another problem that comes with this plant is that it stays green for more time
in the year. Rostok said honeysuckle is usually the first to get its leaves in
the spring and the last to lose its leaves in the fall, giving it a competitive
advantage over native plant species.



However, this advantage is being turned against honeysuckle. Hammer said the
plant is much easier to find in the fall as it is the only one that still has
leaves, allowing conservationists to single it out with herbicides.

For local landowners, Hammer said it is important to mow your yard often to
prevent bush honeysuckle from becoming established. The plant grows quickly and
can overrun a property in a short time.

If you want to learn more about how to prevent the spread of bush honeysuckle on
your property, click here .

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.

26+

Comments / 8
Add a Comment
Shea LaRoux
13d ago
I have honeysuckle bushes all across my backyard fence. They are not taking
over. They are not invasive. How is it that my honeysuckle is not being invasive
and others are?
Reply

6

David Woerman Sr (Dave)
11d ago
Tordon will fix the problem kills the stuff pretty quick
Reply

0

View all comments
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