Hey guys, I've got a series of pictures here, the first being of the house when we bought it in 2020. In 5 years this tree has grown to unbelievable heights and I think we need to address it especially with it being right next to the house.
I tried IDing the tree with the PlantNet app and it believes it to be a Siberian Elm which is invasive and grows at a rapid rate according to my research. Does this sound correct? I live in Eastern WA for context.
With all that in mind, should we get this chopped down or is there a way to manage it?
Thanks!
by Sturminator94
16 Comments
Time to break out the ax or call someone who has one
Cut it down. Sooner than later.
Cut it down, salt the stumps. Rinse(don’t actually) and repeat.
Your poor foundation. There is no management. Only removal.
Cut it down as soon as possible. The roots will be growing into your drainage tiles and will cause flooding on day. Lots of less invasive bushes for this spot. See your local nursery
mulberry.
is small enough to diy imo.
absolutely remember to treat the cut stumps with herbicide. if you only cut it and don’t it’ll be this tall in two years.
I don’t recommend digging, even once dead, just leave the roots and plant around them they’ll rot out soon enough.
keep at the new seedlings or it’ll be back real quick
Cut it down… Yesterday.
I hate ID apps, but it’s not wrong this time. And I hate Siberian elm even more. Kill it. Kill it fast.
You have to get those as soon as you possibly can because they grow unbelievably fast, and they’re weedy and seedy as hell.
If you just cut it down or girdle it, it will sucker like mad.
Only thing I’ve had work well: Drill 5/8″ + holes in the lower trunk about 3-4 inches, and fill them with concentrated Roundup Heavy Duty Weed & Brush Killer (the kind that’s designed for poison ivy). Alternately, you can strip the outer bark and then paint the inner bark with the same stuff so that it’s absorbed and spread to the roots.
Then once the top has died and you can tell there are no suckers, then you cut it down and get whatever pieces you can out of there.
DO NOT try to cut it and then pull the stump out with a backhoe or whatever. The roots are insanely deep and long, and probably wrapped around your foundation at this point. You could tear out half your house…
In any case, don’t hold back. These things are a menace, especially up against your house like that.
Generally speaking, you really shouldn’t have any sizeable tree growing within at least a 15-20 feet of your foundation, or any drain tile or septic field.
Forget figuring out what it is and kill it. That close to your house is just a recipe for bad things.
Cut cut cut. Spray exposed fresh cuts with herbicide
Get rid of it! Too close to the house, roots will do damage. It’s also a prolific seeder. Weak wood also. Treat the stump to prevent re-sprouting.
Cut it down! Put tree killer in the base that’s left!
86 that bad boy as soon as possible!! ..it’s only going to give your problems like unwanted step kids !!
Can’t be that fast if you had time to reside the house haha
Not available in every state, had the same tree root right next to my house. I got this product and it worked like a dream, follow the instructions.
**Tordon** is a ready-to-use herbicide designed to kill unwanted trees and prevent regrowth by penetrating the root system. It is effective for managing various woody species in non-crop areas like fence lines and roadsides.
Don’t use an Ax, never use an Ax to cut down a tree.
Get a saw for cutting down trees, it does not need to be powered but powered is much easier.
On those I would use a Sawzall with a pruning blade, get a couple.