QUESTION: How do I get rid of pampas grass? I'm considering dynamite, or a chain and a large truck. Will a herbicide do it?ANSWER: Please, no dynamite. There is enough noise in the world already. However, a big clump of pampas grass being blasted to smithereens would attract attention. I've no experience with pulling things out of the ground with a truck and chain, but know it has been done with tree stumps. It sounds like the plant is too big to dig up.A herbicide would kill the plant, including the roots, but not overnight. And it is likely to take more than one application. Here's what I'd do: Cut the plant well back, getting off as much of the old leaves as possible.The most important thing while doing this is to protect yourself. The leaves of pampas grass have very sharp edges. You must wear goggles over your eyes and heavy clothing while you are doing this. I know many of you have been pruning back pampas grass for years with nothing happening. But it only takes once, and the edges of those blades are almost like razors.Once you cut back most of the old leaves, you can get close enough to the crown of the plant to see new growth emerging. That is what must be sprayed with Roundup. Repeat spraying as you see more new leaves emerge. This is going to take a while. The fastest route could still be a truck and chain.

QUESTION: We bought 11 mostly wooded acres. There is a vine that wraps around the trees. I've started pulling it down when I can and cutting it off at ground level but I'm sure it will grow back. It has even pulled young tree tops back down to the ground. Can you tell me what this is and what is the best way to eradicate it?ANSWER: Even without your pictures, I knew you were talking about Japanese honeysuckle, a very rambunctious weed that appears out of nowhere. It sounds like it has had complete freedom to run rampant over this land. You must go after it. What you describe doing is a start, but not sufficient to halt its growth or eradicate it. Pulling it up only works if you get the entire plant. You must go after the roots.I'm afraid you will have to think of this as a long-term process. There is no magic wand that will repel this weed.Cutting it back is good because that creates an open wound, which you can immediately paint with undiluted Roundup. Use a clean paint brush or sponge brush. This treatment means using far less herbicide than spraying the entire plant. Where you see little bunches of leaves at or near the ground, spray them with Roundup diluted with water to the recommended strength. Take care not to spray adjacent plants because Roundup is not selective.Stay with this through the spring and see how the progress goes. Work at it again in late summer. If the vine is across 11 acres you have quite a task before you.Contact Nancy Brachey at The Charlotte Observer, 600 S. Tryon St., P.O. Box 30308, Charlotte, NC 28230.