Kudzu Benefits...Right.
Would you believe our government imported kudzu from Japan in 1876 and our government paid farmers to plant kudzu from 1935 into the 1950's to help control erosion, use it as an herb, and kudzu as food for cattle.
Then the government woke up and realized kudzu was invasive and was a kudzu vine that would eat the entire southeastern USA in one quick gulp...so they said...don't plant kudzu any more.
Sorry...but it was too late.
Just look at this picture where a entire forest is gobbled up by the Kudzu with its Kudzu roots and Kudzu seeds just silently AND QUICKLY move on to the next tree or bush.
Or look at the picture of this parking disappearing as Kudzu in essence devours the asphalt as its next meal.
Kudzu kills trees by smothering using its Kudzu leaves and heavy vines to break the host branches or uprooting the entire tree and/or shrub through the sheer force of its weight. Kudzu plants grow as much as 60 feet a summer, about a foot a day. A Kudzu vine may grow up to 100 feet in length, with stems 4 inches in diameter, tap roots 7 inches or more in diameter, weighing 400 pounds.
PREVENTION and CONTROL
The extensive root system must be destroyed. as any remaining root crowns can lead to new Kudzu growth. Cut the vines at ground level and destroy all cut material by burning or feeding to cattle. Mow close every month for two growing seasons or plant another crop and that may be effective.
Follow with herbicide to cut stems. Repeat the application of soil-active herbicide regularly.
There is no biological way to kill Kudzu.
