Winged Burning Bush in Anoka County

ACD staff have found the invasive plant, Winged Burning Bush, invading natural areas in Anoka County. This woody shrub is commonly planted in residential landscaping for its attractive, bright crimson autumn foliage color. Birds readily disperse their bright red fruits and the shrub can eventually form dense thickets like buckthorn and honeysuckle. Plants can be difficult to spot in the spring and summer months, but as fall comes, the bright red foliage is a great way to help identify this woodland invader. 

Chemical spraying is an effective treatment during the growing season, and during winter, a basal bark application can be made on larger-stemmed individuals. If there are only a few plants, then manual digging may be the most effective method of control. Some native alternatives to this invasive shrub include eastern wahoo, American hazelnut, and Highbush cranberry. For more information, contact Balin Magee, Restoration Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.