How To Kill Trumpet Vine

If you’re looking for how to kill trumpet vine, you’ve likely met your match with this vigorous grower. Also known as trumpet creeper or Campsis radicans, this plant can quickly overwhelm a space, and its removal requires persistence and the right methods.

This guide covers effective, step-by-step strategies. We’ll look at manual removal, chemical controls, and long-term management to help you reclaim your garden.

Successfully removing a trumpet vine is a multi-step process. There is no single magic solution, but a combination of techniques will get the job done. Your approach will depend on the vine’s size, age, and location.

First, you need to understand what your dealing with. Trumpet vine spreads through runners, seeds, and root suckers. Even a tiny piece of root left in the soil can sprout a new plant. This is why half-measures rarely work.

Why Is Trumpet Vine So Hard to Eliminate?

The primary challenge is the plant’s extensive root system. It develops a large, woody root crown and a network of deep roots that store energy. When you cut back the top growth, the roots simply send up new shoots, often farther away from the original plant.

Aggressive Suckering: Roots send up shoots many feet from the main plant.
Rapid Regrowth: Cut vines can resprout with incredible speed.
Seed Propagation: Flowers produce numerous pods that scatter seeds.
Tenacious Roots: Roots can be deep and are brittle, breaking easily when pulled.

Manual Removal: The Digging Method

For young vines or small infestations, manual removal is the most thorough option. It’s physical work but avoids chemicals. The best time to do this is in spring or fall when the soil is moist.

Step-by-Step Digging Process

Cut Back the Vine: Use loppers or a saw to cut all the top growth down to about 6-12 inches from the ground. This makes the root system easier to access and handle.
Dig Around the Base: Using a sharp shovel, dig a wide circle around the main stump. Start about 2 feet out to avoid severing to many roots early on.
Expose the Root Crown: Carefully excavate soil to reveal the main root mass (the crown) and the larger lateral roots. A digging fork can help loosen soil without chopping roots into pieces.
Trace and Remove Roots: Follow the roots out from the crown as far as you can. Pull up every piece you find. A sturdy pair of gloves is essential.
Extract the Entire System: Work the main crown free from the soil. Your goal is to remove it all in one piece if possible, but its okay if it brakes as long as you get the fragments.
Monitor and Repeat: For the next year, vigilantly watch for new sprouts. Pull them immediately while they are small and their roots are weak.

Chemical Control: Using Herbicides

For large, established vines, or when manual digging isn’t feasible, herbicides can be an effective tool. They are most successful when used as part of a combined strategy. Always follow the product label instructions precisely.

The most effective method is called “cut-stem” or “cut-surface” treatment. This targets the herbicide directly into the plant’s vascular system.

How to Apply Herbicide to Trumpet Vine

Gather Supplies: You will need a hand saw or loppers, a spray bottle or small brush, and a systemic herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr.
Cut the Stems: Cut the vine close to the ground, leaving a 3-6 inch stump. Make the cut as level as possible.
Apply Immediately: Within minutes of cutting, apply the concentrated herbicide to the freshly cut surface. You want to coat the outer ring (the cambium layer) thoroughly.
Dispose of Vines: Carefully gather all the cut vine material and dispose of it in the trash. Do not compost, as it may reroot or spread seeds.
Repeat as Needed: The vine will likely send up new suckers. Either apply herbicide to these leaves when they are green (foliar spray) or cut and re-treat the new stems.

Important Note: Be extreamly careful to avoid herbicide drift onto desirable plants. Applying in late summer or early fall, when the plant is sending energy to its roots, often yields the best results.

Smothering: A Non-Chemical Option

Smothering, or solarization, can work for vines growing in an open bed or lawn area. It uses physical barriers to block sunlight and starve the roots. This method takes time—often a full growing season or more.

Cut the Vine: Mow or cut the vine as low to the ground as possible.
Cover the Area: Use a heavy, light-blocking material like cardboard, several layers of newspaper, or commercial weed barrier fabric.
Secure the Cover: Overlap edges generously. Secure everything with a thick layer of mulch, wood chips, or even soil.
Wait and Watch: Leave the cover in place for at least 6-12 months. Check the edges for any shoots trying to escape and cover them immediately.

Preventing Regrowth and Spread

Killing the initial vine is only half the battle. Preventing its return is crucial. Consistency is your greatest ally here.

Regular Monitoring: Inspect the area weekly during the growing season for new sprouts.
Prompt Removal: Pull or dig out any new shoots the moment you see them. This exhausts the root’s stored energy.
Dispose of Debris: Never compost any part of the vine. Bag flowering or seeding vines seperately to prevent seed spread.
Consider a Root Barrier: If the vine was near a property line, installing a deep root barrier (30+ inches) can block invading roots from neighbors.

What to Avoid When Removing Trumpet Vine

Some common mistakes can make your problem worse or cause damage.

Don’t Just Rip the Top: Yanking vines off walls or fences leaves roots intact to respout.
Avoid Tilling: Rototillers chop roots into countless pieces, each capable of growing a new plant.
Don’t Delay Follow-up: Ignoring new sprouts for even a few weeks gives the root system time to recharge.
Skip Weak Solutions: Household vinegar or salt mixtures are ineffective on deep-rooted perennials and can harm soil health.

FAQ: Common Questions About Trumpet Vine Removal

Will boiling water kill trumpet vine roots?

Boiling water may kill surface growth and small, young roots, but it is ineffective on the deep, established root system of a mature trumpet vine. It’s not a reliable method for complete eradication.

How deep do trumpet vine roots go?

The roots can grow remarkably deep, often reaching down 3 to 5 feet or more in search of water. The lateral roots also spread widely, making them difficult to fully contain.

Can I kill trumpet vine without chemicals?

Yes, through persistent manual digging or smothering. Both methods require significant effort and time, but they can be successful, especially for smaller vines. You must be diligent about removing every shoot that reappears.

What is the best time of year to kill trumpet vine?

For digging, early spring or fall is easiest. For herbicides, late summer to early fall is ideal, as the plant is actively moving nutrients down to the roots, carrying the herbicide with it.

Will cutting it down repeatedly eventually kill it?

Consistently cutting every new shoot, as soon as it appears, can eventually starve the root system. This method requires patience and may take several growing seasons of relentless cutting to succeed.

How do I stop trumpet vine from spreading from my neighbor’s yard?

Installing a deep, solid root barrier (like metal flashing) between your properties can help. You’ll also need to monitor and remove any suckers that pop up on your side from roots that may have already crossed under.

Removing a trumpet vine is a test of patience. There will be setbacks, and you might see sprouts for a season or two after you think its gone. By choosing the right method for your situation and following up consistently, you can win the battle and enjoy a trumpet-vine-free garden. Remember, the key is to attack both the top growth and the extensive root system simultaneously.