Winged Euonymus


Winged Euonymus is quite prevalent in Eastern New England. It dominates over native flora, taking over all areas possible for it’s own use.
   
Where found: Field, farms, second generation forests, along roadsides and waterways, swamps, yards, sandy and gravel areas.

Fiery Red - Fall color

"Wings" on stem

Recognizable Description: Shrub - Thin stem with flat inch to two inch long longitudinal bark like growths protruding from stem about a half inch. Stem is toped with dense canopy, small green leaves till Fall when they turn fiery red, small oblong dark purple berries that turn red when mature. Measured the tallest Winged Euonymus at 18 feet in length, average height seems to be about 12 feet. Mature stem width averages about two inches.

Distribution: Birds love the fruit and disperse seeds. Fruit can be transported by wind, streams or rivers and deposited a distance away. Fruit has tiny helicopter-like wings. Some areas are densely packed with these shrubs and spread like wildfire.

Warning: If you use a herbicide to try and kill off Winged Euonymus, you risk killing any bird or other creature that eats the fruit. Birds also nest in these shrubs which increases their risk of any chemical harming them.

Suggested removal method: Cut shrub but leave about six inches of stems above ground. Use shovel and dig out root system. If shrub has fruit, contain it so fruit don’t disperse. Place fruit in garbage for the incinerator to dispose of. There will be a seed supply in the ground so yearly inspection will need to be done.

Use: I don’t use.

How do you utilize Winged Euonymus?

These statements are from personal experience. If you want more information on Winged Euonymus, refer too:

Invasive Plant Information Sheet
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwg/pdfs/burning_bush.pdf

Invasive.org
http://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=3023