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Honeysuckle arch

Debra100Debra100 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Amongst other neglected plants in our new garden are two massively overgrown honeysuckles, originally trained through a metal archway.  We have taken the plunge and heavily pruned these back, but one really needs to be removed altogether.  However - untangling inches-thick woody honeysuckle trunk from the metal arch is proving impossible. Even sawing it off isn't an option, as it winds through the fretwork of the arch.  Any solutions short of binning the entire structure would be very gratefully received - thanks!

Posts

  • D0rdogne_DamselD0rdogne_Damsel Posts: 4,184
    I don't know the solution, but you have my sympathy, I'm trying desperately to resurrect a garden over indulged in honeysuckle. 🙄
    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • clarke.bruntclarke.brunt Posts: 215
    I can't envisage what the 'fretwork' is like. Ever since I had a 'pruning saw' (just a few years) it's been so useful for poking into spaces other things wouldn't fit in. Or just leave dead honeysuckle trunks (having sawn off lower down) for new honeysuckle to grow through? My own honeysuckle has had a hard time: after growing around wooden 'trellis' for a few years, I cut to the ground in spring 2020 expecting the painter to come to do the house walls behind it. Of course the pandemic struck, and the painter couldn't come until autumn, so I had to cut it down (thinner stems of course) all over again. So it's starting from near the ground in spring 2021. The birds will have to wait until next year before it's fit to nest in, though I think it's probably worth cutting down every few years, and before the trunks are too thick to get a nice-looking plant.
  • CloggieCloggie Posts: 1,457
    Is it possible to attack it like ivy?  Cut as low down as possible (and again an inch above) and let the top growth die.  If you want it out altogether paint the low down cut with weedkiller to take out the root.  When the top dies back it will shrink and be easier to remove from the support.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I took a big honeysuckle on an arch right down to the ground a few years ago. I used big loppers to cut it into small pieces and removed the plant that way.  The honeysuckle was a big, old plant and resprouted almost right away. It's now starting to re-cover the arch in a much more civilsed way, without all the brown wood. The arch it was on was much too small for the size of the HS, and the plant essentially brought the whole arch down under its weight. I will now cut it right back every few years.

    A few years ago I bought a small electric, cordless garden saw, which has been a godsend for projects too tough for loppers. (Bosch Keo Cordless Garden Saw). Mine is a small garden, but the saw holds its charge really well and is pretty light weight (1kg). For projects like sawing pallets, trellis, fencing (hedgehog holes), pruning shrubs and small trees, or for craft projects it's brilliant.  No more swearing with a hacksaw for me.


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