As the stems mature, the bark gets flaky and peels off in strips. You can see the buds breaking on this stem which was cut at the end of October in USDA zone 7. Within its range, it remains evergreen in the southern parts and partially evergreen in the northern. It is able to continue growing for more than two months after native plants have gone dormant in the fall, which gives it a distinct advantage. Not only does it have a long season of growth, it spreads via underground stems as well as above ground stems and seeds from the fruit produced from September through November.
Underground growth competes with native tree and plant seedlings, inhibiting their development.
Most native wildflowers can't survive in dense honeysuckle mats. Birds love the berries and deposit the seeds all over the place. Seeds apparently germinate best after passing through a bird gut. They are easier to see and pull once most of the deciduous plants have lost their leaves. Deer use it as a winter browse, when little else is available.