ArborActive Tree Care Guide
How to Control Burning Bush in CT, MA & RI
By ArborActive Team · Updated
The shrub planted for fall color can produce seedlings beyond the original bed. Check nearby wooded edges when deciding what to remove.
Identify the plant
Euonymus alatus. Look for opposite leaves, corky ridges along many stems and bright red fall foliage. Red foliage alone is a poor identifier. Check stems, leaves and fruit before removing a shrub.
University of Maryland Extension winged euonymus guideChoose a control method
Start with the size of the patch, what you want to preserve and whether the site is near water.
Small patches
Pull seedlings or dig out the roots of small plants where soil disturbance is manageable. Check under nearby trees and shrubs for seedlings that may have arrived from fruit eaten by birds.
Established infestations
Larger shrubs can be dug out where the root crown is accessible. Cutting stems alone can leave a living crown. A qualified applicator may consider a labeled cut-stump treatment when digging would disturb neighboring roots or soil.
Keep it from coming back
Check the crown for new shoots and watch the area beyond the planting bed for seedlings. Choose replacement shrubs for the available light, moisture and space rather than planting solely for fall color.
Check local requirements
Before moving plant material, working near water or using an herbicide, check the rules for your property. Use only products labeled for the plant and site, and follow the label. Ask the local authority about disposal.
Connecticut invasive plant list
Check the current regional guidance before work.
Connecticut invasive plant listMassachusetts prohibited plant list
Check the current regional guidance before work.
Massachusetts prohibited plant listRhode Island invasive species resources
Check the current regional guidance before work.
Rhode Island invasive species resources
Common questions
Does a compact cultivar change the removal plan?
Confirm the plant’s identity and check for seedlings nearby. Size or a cultivar name does not tell you whether the roots will resprout after cutting.
Ask ArborActive about your property
Send your town, the approximate patch size and a photo of the suspected burning bush. Mention nearby water and plants you want to keep.