Burning Bush AKA Winged Euonymus, Euonymus alatus

This plant is native to central and northern China, Japan and Korea where it is used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine.  Burning bush was introduced to the United States as an ornamental in the 1860's. It was considered desirable for its colorful berries and bright red or pinkish red foliage displayed during the autumn season. Winged euonymus gets the "winged" portion of one of its common names from the unusual appearance of its branches which have distinctive thin corky ridges along opposing edges that resemble wings.  Because of this shrub's hardiness and its attractive fall foliage, it was frequently selected as a decorative hedge planting along interstate highways. The plant is not especially fussy about where it lives.  It will grow in sun or shade, and it is adaptable to most soil types.  Wherever it grows it produces abundant seeds that birds and small mammals relish.  Though that seems a good thing, unfortunately as the seeds pass through the digestive tract of these birds and mammals they remain fertile and are deposited far from the original feeding site.  In this new site seeds germinate and form new colonies.  Like several other shrubs considered invasive, burning bush can also take root from any branches that contact the ground.  This is called vegetative propagation.  Over the years this plant, like many other invasives, has escaped cultivation and has naturalized in our woodlands where it chokes out native plants.  Given its aggressive growth habits this shrub will continue to spread. Some studies suggest that it will even out compete other invasive plants!  In much of New England, including Connecticut, it is not legal to purchase, propagate, or transport this shrub or any of its cultivars. Having an awareness of the impact this shrub can have on our woodlands and open fields; you might want to seriously consider its removal should it be an ornamental shrub presently growing on your property.  There are many alternative plantings that make attractive replacements.  Inserting a native planting in place of this shrub will also help to discourage regrowth of Burning Bush from any remaining seeds that germinate after the plant's removal.  There are many to consider such as maple leaf viburnum, American holly, or winterberry.

HOW TO REMOVE

The shrub's "winged" branches make it easily identifiable no matter the season.  If you happen to spot young specimens of this plant growing in the forest, you may want to take a few minutes to remove them.  Small plants around 2 feet high or less can be quite easily pulled.  You can leave them hanging in nearby shrubs where they will dry out.  Larger specimens will require a shovel or fork to disengage the root from the soil.  It is easier to gain access to the lower part of the shrub if you first lop off most of the branches.  If you are unable to remove this shrub from the soil, another recommended option is to cut off all branches and the main trunk during its growing season and follow up with an application to the cut areas with a concentrated herbicide such as Glyphosate or Triclopyr.  To eradicate a very large infestation of this shrub, the recommendation is foliar spray of Glyphosate or Triclopyr applied during the summer growing season.  Keep in mind Glyphosate is a non-specific herbicide killing both broad leaf plants and grasses.  Triclopyr kills only broad leaf plants and will not harm grasses.