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Old Man’s Beard

Clematis vitalba
Updated Nov 04, 2022
 
1

Make a Positive Identification

  • Old man’s beard is also known by its other common name, traveler’s joy.
  • It was widely planted throughout the Pacific Northwest and escaped from managed areas.
  • It is a fast-growing, perennial climbing vine. Mature old man’s beard plants grow twenty feet or more in a single season.
  • Old man’s beard spreads quickly over open ground. The vines engulf vegetation and structures. Vines climb into the forest canopy and suppress native plant growth.
Species: Old man's beard
Old man’s beard vines smothering a hedge

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

It is a fast-growing perennial vine. Mature vines grow twenty to fifty feet per year, depending on the light and soil conditions. Old man’s beard vines smother trees and shrubs.

Species: Old man’s beard
Old man’s beard leaves next to a quarter for scale

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The leaves have a central stem with five to seven leaflets. The leaflets vary in shape. Some leaflets are oval-shaped and pointed, and others are deeply toothed.

Species: Old man’s beard
Old man’s beard vine with stringy bark

Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org

Mature vines have stringy, pale-brown bark. Younger stems are tough and grooved.

Species: Old man’s beard
Old man’s beard flowers

Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org

Old man’s beard flowers in the summer. The flowers are creamy white and sweet smelling. They have four white sepals that look like petals. The flowers are small, thin, and grow in loose clusters.

Species: Old man’s beard
Old man’s beard seed structures in winter

"Clematis vitalba" by anro0002 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

The flowers mature into small and hairy seeds. Each seed has a white, silky tail. Many of these structures together give this weed its common name. The seeds remain on the vine throughout the fall as shown in the photo. The feathery tails aid in seed dispersal by wind and water in the winter.

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LOOK-ALIKES: NATIVE CLEMATIS AND HONEYSUCKLE
Species: Native Clematis
Clematis ligusticifolia flowers

© Bruce Newhouse, courtesy Oregon Flora

Old man’s beard is difficult to distinguish from native species of Clematis. Established native vine species are smaller. They grow to twenty feet or less. The native species flower January through June. In contrast, mature old man’s beard vines grow twenty feet or more in a single season, and flower June through September.

Helpful

Native Clematis are desired species. They usually don’t require control.

Species: Honeysuckle
Lonicera leaves and flowers

Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa) is a climbing vine native to the Pacific Northwest. Its growth pattern as a vine resembles that of old man’s beard. However, honeysuckle’s flowers are bright orange and trumpet-shaped.

Helpful

The native honeysuckle is a desired species. It usually doesn’t require control.

 
2

Old Man’s Beard Benefits

Old man's beard is an aggressive weed. It doesn’t have any benefits for people or the environment.

 

Old Man’s Beard Risks

  • The vines engulf and smother trees and shrubs. The vines grow on and damage structures.
  • Old man’s beard suppresses desirable plant growth in landscapes and along forest edges.
  • It sprawls across open ground areas to form a dense mat.
  • All parts are poisonous. The sap causes minor skin irritation. Wear gloves when handling the foliage.
Risk Card
Does it cause harm?
Adults & Children
Some
Property
Some
Pets
None
Annoyance
High
Environment
High
Action Recommended
 
3

Take Action

Old man’s beard spreads quickly and is difficult to control. Don’t ignore individual plants and small patches.

Do I need to take action?
Yes, take action for old man’s beard on your property.

  • At minimum, prune old man’s beard to keep vines from producing seeds. The seeds are spread by wind and water to new areas.
  • Remove old man’s beard plants as you are able.

What if I do nothing?
If you ignore old man’s beard on your property, it will produce seeds that spread to natural areas.

 
4

Prevent Old Man's Beard

Old man’s beard plant marked for treatment

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Look for  Regrowth and Seedlings
  • Old man’s beard is difficult to kill. Look for regrowth in areas where you have controlled it.
  • Also watch for new seedlings. Old man’s beard seeds are dispersed throughout winter and remain viable in the soil for many years. The photo shows a small plant marked with a flag for later treatment.
  • Remove regrowth and seedlings as soon as possible.
Gloved hand using metal brush to clean shovel

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Remove Dirt from Shoes & Equipment
  • After working or traveling in an area with old man’s beard, clean your boots and tools. Use a wire brush to remove soil and seeds.
  • If you drive into an old man’s beard stand, clean your vehicle.
Landscape area with native plants growing densely together

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Install New Plants
  • Take care of the plants to get them established and to suppress old man’s beard regrowth.
  • Replanting stabilizes the soil surface, shades old man’s beard seedlings, and creates habitat.
  • Invasion by old man’s beard and removal activities may significantly damage a site. Few or no desirable plants may remain.
  • Plan for at least 2-3 years of monitoring and maintenance.
  • Your local Extension specialist, soil and water conservation district, or a professional revegetation specialist can suggest strategies for your area.
 
5
Solutions for Old Man’s Beard

Physical Removal of Plants

Dig out seedlings and small plants with hand tools.

Herbicides (Weed Killers)

Herbicides effectively control old man’s beard when used according to the label directions.

Monitoring & Follow-Up

  • Focus your efforts first on old man’s beard growing into trees and on structures.
  • Look for old man’s beard on your property every year. Take action as needed.

NEED HELP?

Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon  and other states  can suggest other methods.

Jump to

Method Does it work? Is it safe? Recommendation
A
Physically Remove Plants
Effective
Low risk
Recommended
B
Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate
Effective
Moderate risk
Use if Necessary
C
If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
 
A

Physically Remove Plants

Non-Chemical Method

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Physically Remove Plants

Recommended

Cut old man’s beard stems that grow up trees and on structures. Remove the roots with tools.

Does it work?
Effective
  • Several years of monitoring and effort are required to get rid of old man’s beard.
  • Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?
High effort
What's the risk?
Low risk

Old man’s beard sap causes a skin rash.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
NONE

Dig out seedlings and small plants with hand tools. Make sure to remove the whole root crown.

Old man’s beard seedling root with a quarter to show size

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Dig and remove the roots of old man’s beard vines. The roots grow deep into the soil and are difficult to remove. Remove as much of the root ball as possible.

Tips for Removing Old Man’s Beard

  • Cut vines with loppers or a machete. Dig out the root crown with picks, shovels, or similar tools.
  • Digging out plants is easiest when the soil is moist.
  • Dispose of them in the green waste bin or trash. Old man’s beard can resprout from stems that touch the ground. If you compost it in place, lay a tarp or sheet of cardboard under piles of stems to prevent them from developing roots.
  • Cut vines growing on trees and shrubs at roughly waist height. Leave the vines and foliage in the canopy. The cut vines will die. Then either dig out the root or treat the stem with herbicide as described below.

Soil Disturbance and Erosion

  • Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible when removing old man’s beard.
  • Regrade the soil after digging ivy roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
  • Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
  • Replant the area to shade old man’s beard seedlings.
 
B

Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate

Chemical Method: Use with caution

chameleonseye, iStock

Herbicides Triclopyr & Glyphosate

Use if Necessary

Herbicides that contain the active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate effectively control old man’s beard when used according to label directions.

Does it work?
Effective
  • Several years of monitoring and effort are required to get rid of old man’s beard.
  • Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?
Moderate effort
  • Treat individual old man’s beard plants and patches.
  • Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?
Moderate risk
  • Herbicides come with real risks. ALWAYS read the entire label front to back. Review instructions even for brands you know.
  • Herbicides can run off your site into waterways and may harm wildlife. See How to Keep Pesticides Out of Waterways.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
El uso de herbicidas conlleva cierto grado de riesgo. El riesgo más bajo se presenta con el uso de métodos alternativos.

You may be exposed to an herbicide if you:

  • Get it on your skin
  • Breathe it in
  • Eat or smoke afterward without washing hands
  • Touch or eat plants that are wet with spray (you, pets, or children)
  • Bring it inside on your shoes or clothes

Follow directions closely to reduce risk.

Herbicides with active ingredients triclopyr and/or glyphosate, used individually or in a mixture, are effective chemical treatments for old man’s beard. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient triclopyr

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

  • The white box on the example product label highlights active ingredient triclopyr. The text on the label states “Kills completely – stumps and roots won’t grow.”
  • Triclopyr doesn’t injure most grasses. It is a good choice for treating old man’s beard growing next to desired grasses in lawn, pasture, and meadow areas.
  • Triclopyr is more effective than glyphosate if the herbicide is applied to leaves.
Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient glyphosate

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

  • The white box on the example label highlights active ingredient glyphosate. Text on the label states “Kills grass and weeds around flower beds, trees, shrubs....”
  • Glyphosate will damage most plants and grasses. Don’t let the spray contact plants you wish to keep.

Herbicide Application Tips

  • Premixed products are available in hardware stores and garden centers.
  • Old man’s beard often grows with other desired plants, which makes it difficult to treat the foliage, especially for large plants climbing up other vegetation.
  • Cut-stump and basal-bark applications are common herbicide techniques for this invasive vine. See below.
  • Apply herbicide to old man’s beard when it is actively growing (late spring through early fall in the Pacific Northwest).
  • Glyphosate is most effective on this plant in September and early October. Triclopyr can be used earlier in the year.
  • Don’t treat old man’s beard foliage with herbicide when it is flowering. The flowers shield the foliage and make the herbicide application less effective.
  • Return to the treated area and look for regrowth and re-treat every year, if needed.

Common Herbicide Application Techniques for Old Man’s Beard

Diagram of basal bark herbicide application technique

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Basal-Bark Application

  • This approach works best for stems that are less than 6 inches in diameter.
  • Concentrated herbicide (oil soluble) is mixed with another ingredient (adjuvant); typically, a seed oil.
  • The mixture is sprayed on stems from the ground to a height of 12–18 inches.
  • The plant absorbs the herbicide sprayed on the trunk. The herbicide moves to the roots.
Gloved hand spraying herbicide with dye on cut stump

Lyon Duong, UF/IFAS

Cut-Stump Application

  • Cut stems as close to the ground level as possible.
  • Remove sawdust and debris from the cut.
  • Apply concentrated herbicide to the area just inside the bark. This area has living tissue (cambium) that will transport the herbicide to the roots.
  • Apply herbicide as soon as possible after cutting the stem.
  • For cut-stump applications, triclopyr is more effective during the early summer. Glyphosate is more effective when applied from mid-summer to leaf fall.
 

If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks

Chemical Method: Use with Caution
Blue heron in marsh

BrianLasenby, iStock

Why is it important to read herbicide labels?

  • They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
  • They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
  • They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
  • Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.

Key Herbicide Safety Tips

  • Read the entire label front to back.
  • Follow the instructions.
  • Review the instructions even for brands you know.
  • Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
  • Be precise in your application. More is not better.

The Label is the Law

ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.

READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.

  • Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
  • Use a magnifying glass for small print.
  • Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
  • Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
  • The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.

Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants

  • Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
  • Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
  • Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
  • Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.

Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.

  • Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
  • Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
  • Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.

Protect Plants You Want to Keep

  • Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
  • Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
  • Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.

Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.

  • Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
  • Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
  • Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
  • Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.

Protect Pollinators

  • Apply in the early morning or evening when bees are less active.
  • Kill weeds before they flower. Avoid spraying flowering plants.
  • Do not spray on bees or insects.

Storage & Disposal

  • Store in a secure area away from children.
  • Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
  • Never pour down any drain or waterway.
  • Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.

Call  1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.

For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call  503-234-3000, email   or visit Metro’s website  

More about:

About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon

If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management  (Oregon Department of Agriculture).

NEED HELP?

The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)  can answer questions about pest control chemicals.
 1-800-858-7378 or npic@ace.orst.edu  

Consider using a licensed pest or weed control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.

Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon  and other states  can suggest other methods.

Invasive Species Alert

  • Invasives are non-native species that spread aggressively and alter the environment.
  • Controlling unwanted old man’s beard is costly.
  • Please do your part to control old man’s beard on property you manage. It can spread beyond your property and affect your neighbors.

If you think you’ve encountered old man’s beard in the grey areas of this map, please report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline at:  1-866-INVADER (1-888-468-2337) or use their online reporting form  

open Map static invasive map
Invasive species data @ 2022, iMapInvasives (NatureServe)

The map shows the distribution of old man’s beard in Oregon. If you find it in a new area (orange shows already reported cases), please report it  

View Larger Map >

Content provided by editor Weston Miller and writers Jessica Green and J. Jeremiah Mann. Pesticide safety information edited by Kaci Buhl.

 Peer reviewed by OSU Department of Horticulture.

Photo of Weston Miller

Weston Miller

Project Founder and Content Writer

Weston Miller served as Community and Urban Horticulture faculty for Oregon State University Extension Service for Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Weston is an author for content for this website. He developed funding partnerships with Portland area agencies to initiate and build out the Solve Pest Problems website focused on this goals:

Photo of Jessica Green

Jessica Green

Jessica Green has held various positions at Oregon State University for over 15 years. She was one of the original content contributors for Solve Pest Problems and now assists with maintaining the resource for the Oregon IPM Center. Jessica is a contributing author/editor for the PNW Weed and Insect Management handbooks, has designed and conducted research trials, and now serves as an educator for OSU's Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

J. Jeremiah Mann

J. Jeremiah Mann

J. Jeremiah Mann completed a Physical Science undergraduate degree at Humboldt State University, and M.S, Ph.D focusing on plant science topics at UC Davis. He went on to work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and in a leadership position serving a private agricultural technology company. He currently lives in Sacramento California where he consults on pest and property management topics.

Photo of Kaci Buhl

Kaci Buhl

At the state level, I lead the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP). The program hosts live recertification events around the state, serving over 1,000 licensed pesticide applicators each year. We also produce web-based training modules and license-preparation study manuals. Special training for unlicensed pesticide applicators is also available through a grant from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The PSEP at OSU works closely with the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Pesticides Division.

Old Man’s Beard References

Old Man’s Beard  
King County Noxious Weed Control Program

Old Man’s Beard  
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board

Old Man’s Beard Profile   (PDF)
Oregon Department of Agriculture