• Mechanical removal: Repeated mowing of small plants may exhaust root systems, but larger plants should not be cut as this will cause root suckering and increase the infestation. Instead, large plants should be chemically treated. Small plants can be pulled; larger plants or plants that are part of a larger root system (clonal growth) cannot be removed by pulling or digging.
• Fire: Seedlings may be killed by prescribed fire. Plants older than seedling stage should not be burned without treating with herbicide first. Top killing plants will cause root suckering.
• Chemical control: Always read and follow the herbicide label before initiating treatment.
  • Foliar: Apply 1% to 3% volume-to-volume, v/v, glyphosate in water or 1% to 2% v/v triclopyr in water during the growing season when plants are actively growing and before fall leaf color change.
  • Basal bark: Apply a triclopyr ester formulation at a 20% v/v rate, mixed with basal oil, to the lowest 15 inches of the stem.
  • For larger trees, girdle or frill the stem and apply herbicide directly into the cut surface.

For more information, explore Management of Invasive Plants and Pests of Illinois.