The weed kills other plants by girdling stems or smothering them with a blanket of leaves and stems. Large kudzu plants kill other plants simply by breaking their stems under the sheer weight of the infestation. In the Southeastern U. S., whole forests have been killed by Kudzu in 2 to 3 years. As with any weed, early and accurate identification is essential in an efficient management program. Kudzu has characteristic compound leaves with three fuzzy leaflets.
Individual leaflets are oval or heart-shaped and about three inches long.
The stems of kudzu are velvety hairy and brown. Early identification should be followed immediately by control tactics, as well established Kudzu infestations can take up to 10 years to eliminate. The key is to eliminate stored root reserves. Patches of kudzu less than 4 years old can often be eliminated by persistent weeding, mowing, or grazing. Long-term control often requires integration of mechanical control with timely and repeated herbicide applications.