What Is the Name of the Vine That Wraps Around Trees & Kills Them?

Wisteria

Named for a University of Pennsylvania anatomy professor, Caspar Wister, the wisteria genus is comprised of two U.S. and eight Asian native varieties. The most popular varieties in American gardens are Wisteria sinensis, or Chinese wisteria, and Wisteria floribunda, or Japanese wisteria. Both are sought after for their showy blooms in shades of blue, white and lavender. Strong support is needed for these climbers, which can reach 25 feet or more. Wisterias twine around all supports, including tree trunks and branches. Strong stems literally strangle trees, retarding growth and preventing adequate nourishment.

This once-exotic and now-invasive vine, Lonicera japonica, or Japanese honeysuckle, grows rapidly, sending out both underground rhizomes and long aboveground runners that twine around tree branches and trunks. Popularized by its blooms, which are showier than those of native honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica produces such abundant leaf growth that the trees and shrubs on which it twines are so deprived of sunlight that they cannot continue photosynthesis.

Celastrus orbiculatus, known as Oriental or Japanese bittersweet, is easily spread by the wide variety of birds that find its seeds as attractive as American flower arrangers do. Highly flexible stems become thick and intractable as the vine grows. Twining and shading strategies weaken the trees that Celastrus orbiculatus climbs. Heavy clusters of vine overload top branches, making already weakened trees vulnerable to storm damage. Reverse the establishment of Celastrus orbiculatus by replanting American bittersweet, Celastrus scandens. The website Invasives.com points out that even experienced nurseries may be unable to distinguish between Oriental and non-invasive native American bittersweet.

While the exact mechanics of spreading and growth may differ slightly, results can often be the same. It may surprise some to learn that English ivy, Hedera helix, has recently been declared an invasive. Tree damage results from the growth of parallel stems up the tree trunk. Vine stems do not girdle the tree trunk but grow in close proximity to each other. Trees are eventually shaded beyond endurance because, unlike wisteria, honeysuckle or bittersweet, Hydera helix is evergreen. Trees have no opportunity to rebound when leaf fall permits at least limited photosynthesis. Other vines make up for seasonal leaf-loss by remaining very aggressive within frost-damage limits. Kudzu, Pueraria montana, grows at such a rapid rate that multiple tendrils can cover a hedge, shrub or tree from several different angles at once. Only wisteria, Oriental bittersweet, and Japanese honeysuckle do as much or more damage to trees by twining around them.