Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Wednesday - October 17, 2012
From: Kyle, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Invasive Plants, Non-Natives
Title: Removing Creeping Fig Suckers
Answered by: Brigid & Larry Larson
QUESTION:
Help Mr Smarty Plants, I am helping a neighbor remove a creeping fig from her property and want to know if there is any product that will soften, emulsify or remove the remaining sucker roots on the hardy plank and trim. Thanks!ANSWER:
Technically, Mr Smarty Plants wants nothing to do with the non-native, invasive Ficus pumila. At the same time since you are trying to get rid of it, we’d love to present a solution. Unfortunately, Mr Smarty Plants tried a few different angles of research and didn’t find very much to help you and your neighbor. Creeping Fig is known for its solid sucker attachments and there isn’t much more than elbow grease available to remove them.
Here are some previous Mr. Smarty Plants offerings on the topic of Creeping Fig:
Climbing vines non-damaging to walls in Round Rock, TX
Vine for stucco wall in St. Petersburg FL
Non-native creeping fig and non-native nutgrass in Carmichael CA
Mr Smarty Plants did look farther afield on the Internet and found a number of articles that were reasonably consistent in their advice. This one, from eHow, recommends letting the vines dry, then a combination of scraping, dampening and brushing. Although we don’t like the herbicide line, this is one vine where it’s use might be justified! There is a similar article about removing the suckers from brick. More aggressive techniques can be used in this case as the brick can take it. One article Mr Smarty Plants saw even recommended flaming the residuals off of brick! While I don't recommend that, you may want to experiment with a scrap piece of hardy plank [or a hidden area] to see just how agressive you can get!
In the meantime, here are some pictures of much more appropriate vines!
From the Image Gallery
More Non-Natives Questions
Various holly hybrids or selections for Pflugerville TX
March 24, 2011 - I love Savannah Hollies. I used them all the time in the Dallas area. Now that I have moved to Austin, I am wondering if I can plant them in this area. I have a soil pH of 7 and drainage is moderate. ...
view the full question and answer
Native shrubs to replace non-native boxwood in Parker County, TX
January 31, 2009 - I'm looking to replace some Japanese Boxwoods my wife planted years ago with some native plants, they run along the front of our house next to the foundation and porch about 60' in length. I prefer ...
view the full question and answer
Care for non-native mandevilla in Greensboro, NC
June 11, 2009 - I bought two potted mandevilla vines last year and read on a website for winter care to cut the vine back at least a foot from the soil. However this spring going into summer it has barely produced an...
view the full question and answer
Are non-natives, Dappled willow and Kousa dogwood, toxic to horses?
May 27, 2009 - Are dappled willow trees/bushes or kousa dogwood trees toxic to horses?
view the full question and answer
Tentative identification of non-native Senecio rowleyanus
April 19, 2008 - I am trying to track down a plant that I used to have but do not know what it is called.
It grew in long strings of "pea like" balls. When planted in a hanging pot, the stringy "pea" like vines ...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
