Mitchell J. Rogers

Four cultural treatments were tested at 2 spacings (3.0 x 3.0 m and 3.0 x 1.5 m) for effects on growth and survival of planted honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and invasion by native vegetation. Treatments were: mowing, and overseedings ofvelvetgrass (Holcus lanatus), Korean lespedeza (Lespedeza stipulacea), or a combination of fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and ladino clover (Trifolium repens). Nurse crops and mowing reduced invasion by native vegetation but also reduced honeysuckle production. Invasion of native vegetation on control plots did not prevent eventual honeysuckle establishment...

Honeysuckle planted in 1968 consistently yielded more than 2,000kg of leaves and twigs per ha after 1972. Fertilization with N substantially increased total vegetative yields and crude protein content of leaves. Utilization by deer was highest when acorns were scarce and when snow covered the ground. Despite high yields, there was evidence than an effective means of weed control would be necessary to prevent native woody species from eventually suppressing the honeysuckle. Mowing was not sufficient control, and spraying with 2,4,5-T killed honeysuckle as well as native woody species.