Amur Honeysuckle [Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim]

Ninth Annual Free the Kennedy Woods Honeysuckle Removal sponsored by the Kennedy Woods Advisory Group* Saturday, November 10, 2007 Rain date: November 17 Two shifts: 10:00 A.M. to Noon Noon to 2:00 P.M. Sign Up Now! Get up-to-date information at: http://treeswallow.com/honeysuckle

We are seeking volunteers to join in an organized effort to cut and kill the invasive exotic shrubs in the Kennedy Woods that are collectively known as bush honeysuckles. This year we will work on an area between the Zoo and the Jewel Box. This area is heavily infested with Honeysuckle and acts as a seed source to spread Honeysuckle into other areas of the park. To Volunteer: Sign up using this form (click here) Where to Meet: On McKinley Drive near the Muny. Signs will be posted to guide you there. The Problem: The invasion of bush honeysuckles over the past 20 years is the main reason that there have been few new trees sprouting and growing in the Kennedy Woods. The honeysuckle starts turning green much earlier (late February!) than the native plants. By summer, when acorns and other native tree seeds sprout, the honeysuckle has largely shaded the forest understory, causing the seedlings to die. The honeysuckle is spread largely by birds, which eat the red berries (we'd prefer to restock noninvasive native shrubs for the birds). It is particularly important to remove the berry-producing plants. The past six years we've been highly successful at ridding certain areas of the woods of honeysuckle. How We Do It: Late fall is the best time kill the honeysuckle. It's easy to recognize at that time because it's one of the few remaining plants with green leaves. We cut it near the ground with saws or loppers and paint a solution of high-strength Roundup® on the exposed stump. In fall, the Roundup® is pulled into the root system as the plant withdraws sap in preparation for winter. We need volunteers to work in 2- and 3-person teams to cut and paint. Typically we get roughly 100 volunteers each year. We'll supply the Roundup® , but volunteers are urged to bring their own gloves and saws, loppers, or pruning shears. It's hard work, but satisfying. Related links: Honeysuckle Songbird Decline Linked to Honeysuckle Roundup® Kennedy Woods Oak Savanna Restoration Area   * KWAG: We are mainly a group of birders who have been working for several years with the St. Louis Parks Department, St. Louis Police Department, Missouri Conservation Department, and local environmental groups to preserve and rejuvenate the J. F. Kennedy Forest in Forest Park. It is our goal that the woods continue to be attractive to wildlife, and to people who want to enjoy wildlife or just take a walk in the woods.