I might have done a dumb thing - I hacked a bittersweet vine down to a thick trunk that is entwined in a chain link fence. I'm sure it's been growing there for years and years and years. There are a few others along the same fence, but I figure I can only handle one at a time.

My idea was to cut it down to a stump, drill some holes, and apply stump killer all summer. I have since read that cutting it means the roots will send the energy elsewhere and send up new shoots.

BUt then I wondered - should I try to dig out the stump?

Or do you think the toxic stuff is the way to go?

This might be a long battle with bittersweet as it is growing in the woods behind all the houses up and down my street. But if I can keep it off my fence I'll be happy.

As a side, I plan to cut up all the branches real small, bag it in plastic and throw it out - NOT take to the town compost.