I'm wondering if anyone would be able to identify what is growing out of this Arborvitae tree, and what I may be able to do about it. I trimmed it all out back in the Spring, but of course, it grew back. I'm not certain, but it seems to be growing out of the tree itself, and not from the ground, and up through the tree.

It's an unwanted climber. I cannot see very well the shape of the leaves but it looks like a Wisteria, fast growth included.

You need to crawl underneath the hedge itself, look where the rootball is and cut it at ground level. Do it at regular intervals and eventually the rootball will run out of starch (energy reserves) and will die for good.

Its a Wisteria. It won't die by cutting, just move someplace else by way of shoots just below the soil surface. You will have to VERY carefully poison the Wisteria without poisoning the Arborvitae. No, I have no idea how to do that.

I agree that simply cutting will not stop Wisteria.

A brush killing herbicide is likely a good strategy. Apply it directly to the cut stump immediately, by brush or sponge or damp cloth unless it comes in a small spray container - which you can simply spray to wet the cut surface. There is no need to overapply.

You might have to repeat this process, if the Wisteria resprouts - which is likely. This plant not only produces runners, but will also sprout from dormant buds.

Many people no longer wish to use glyphosate (the active chemical in Roundup), but it is quite effective in killing woody plants by the cut-stump treatment.

My first thought was Wisteria too.

ViburnumValley said:I agree that simply cutting will not stop Wisteria.

A brush killing herbicide is likely a good strategy. Apply it directly to the cut stump immediately, by brush or sponge or damp cloth unless it comes in a small spray container - which you can simply spray to wet the cut surface. There is no need to overapply.

You might have to repeat this process, if the Wisteria resprouts - which is likely. This plant not only produces runners, but will also sprout from dormant buds.

Many people no longer wish to use glyphosate (the active chemical in Roundup), but it is quite effective in killing woody plants by the cut-stump treatment.

This may be construed as overkill (pun intended) but I have been sucessful in drilling holes with a 1/4 inch drill in the cut stump of an unwanted plant and inserting glyphosate in the holes with an eyedropper. Works every time, with no damage to surrounding plants.

I have gently worked the bark back from a fresh cut stem and spooned straight Roundup into the little gutter I had made.