Wine raspberry is a multi-stemmed, spiny, small shrub that invades open areas throughout the eastern United States. The canes have small spines and the entire plant is covered in minute, glandular, reddish hairs. Canes can, under favorable conditions, grow to 9 ft. (2.7 m) in length. The alternate leaves are compound with three heart-shaped, toothed leaflets. The undersides of the leaflets are silvery-white and very hairy. Small, white, 5-petaled flowers develop in the spring and give way to tasty, red, raspberry-like fruit. Wine raspberry invades moist, open areas such as fields, roadsides, forest margins, open forests and prairies. It reproduces by seed (which are readily dispersed by animals) and root nodes. New plants can grow from the canes touching the ground. It can form extensive, dense thickets that displace native vegetation and restrict light to the ground cover in open areas. Wine raspberry is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced into the United States in 1890 as breeding stock for new raspberry cultivars. (Source: EDDMapS)
Management Options:
A. Hand Pulling
Control can often be accomplished by hand-pulling for small populations (less than 1/4 acre). Plants pulled early in the season are much smaller and easier to manage.
B. Cutting & Mowing
Mowing (or brush hogging where woody plants are present) is suited to non-rocky, open areas that are not too steep for the equipment. Obviously, mowing affects all plants mowed, not just the target species. Equipment should be cleaned prior to being brought to the site and should be thoroughly cleaned of all seeds and plant parts before leaving the site.
C. Propane Torch
Backpack-mounted propane torches can be used for invasive plant control. This method uses targeted fire to heat the base of a plant, killing it. Some plants with developed roots may resprout after this treatment. Safety training is needed before using this method.
D. Herbicides
Herbicides are pesticides used for vegetation management. Herbicides can be a valuable tool in controlling invasive species, but they must be used with caution.
Always read the entire herbicide label and apply herbicides according to label directions. Wear the personal protective equipment specified on the product label and heed any and all environmental restrictions stated on the label.
Most herbicide products, especially those marketed to homeowners and small property owners, are classified as “General Use” pesticides. Only licensed pesticide applicators are allowed to purchase or apply “Restricted Use” pesticides.
E. Grazing
Grazing means using animals to eat plants.