The Battle of Kudzu: A Story of Tenacity

Big Trouble, Little Chainsaw would like to explain what it takes to battle Kudzu in Western North Carolina.

For those who aren't aware of what Kudzu is…it is a fast growing, swarming, and invasive vine that overtakes trees, power line poles, and buildings. It's often referred to as "the vine that ate the South".

Unless you have wild goats (who love eating Kudzu) roaming your land or neighborhood, it is very difficult to eradicate because it spreads through a combination of seeds, runners and root systems allowing it to "creep and leap" across landscapes!

LAND CLEARING OF KUDZU

When it comes to Kudzu, tenacity and persistence is one of the most important aspect of controlling this invasive vine that has extensive root systems.

There are two strategies that may result in eventual eradication:

1.    Mechanical + Herbicide: Repeated long-term mechanical removal and herbicide application. This cuts the kudzu down and the hope is the the herbicide will make it way down to what’s called the “Root Crown” in order to achieve eventual eradication. Of the two strategies, this one is less time-consuming but requires a ongoing approach between May and October as the regrowth rates for this option are much higher.

2.    Hand Destruction of Root Crown: The second is more manual, more time-consuming, and requires more hands-on determination…but the outcome is much more rewarding. In order to truly eradicate the vine, it is vital to locate all of the “Root Crown” focal points from which the vines extends from. Once located, a hand pick-axe is used to dig down to expose the Root Crown.  Once it is exposed, the roots that feed the Root Crown (which is the feeding mechanism for the Kudzu) are severed and the Root Crown looses its food sources to fuel the Kudzu.  Of course, this is a much more expensive route, but can pay dividends on a path to eradication with lower regrowth rates.

If you want to learn more about the second option, take a look at this short video of what these North Carolinian volunteers (dubbed the Kudzu Warriors )do with their a large chunk of their spare time….

 As you can see, this is no easy task. And, when you have large acreage - it can be a daunting situation.

ELEVATION DEPENDENT GROWTH OF KUDZU

Big Trouble, Little Chainsaw is currently working with an Asheville community HOA to perform landscaping with regard to its road maintenance. The lots in this community start at an elevation of 2500 ft above sea level at the community's entry, and rise up a half mile road to a ridge line where homes are at 3100 ft above sea level. Most of the current Kudzu is on the lots between 2500 ft and 2800 ft above sea level, with the higher lots mostly free of it (so far).

The following describes how Kudzu fares at different elevations:

• Below 2,000 feet: Kudzu grows aggressively and can spread rapidly in the warm, humid climate.

• 2,000–3,000 feet: Still viable, though growth slows somewhat.

• 3,000–4,000 feet: Kudzu may persist, especially in protected valleys and south-facing slopes, but it struggles with shorter growing seasons and cooler temperatures.

• Above 4,000 feet: Kudzu is rare or absent due to colder temperatures and shorter frost-free periods

The good news for this community is that, based on slower growth patterns, there is a realistic shot - but not guaranteed - of eradication. Because this community has large acreage lots, this obviously compounds the challenge.

COMPARISON OF METHODS

Big Trouble, Little Chainsaw would like you to understand how the methods fare against one another.

The following is a chart that illustrates the trade-offs:

KUDZU REGROWTH RATES BY METHOD

Big Trouble, Little Chainsaw would also like you to understand regrowth rates for each method:

THE BATTLE OF KUDZU: THE STORY OF TENACITY

Big Trouble, Little Chainsaw can help you better understand these options and plan a strategy to battle this invasive, hard-to-handle menace to the landscape in the South! Please let us know how we can help!