We’ve had a plant growing out of what I thought was the drain for a while (a few years). I’ve been cutting it back when it gets too big but done nothing more than that. I don’t look after my garden very much, I don’t enjoy it unfortunately and I think my laziness has probably come back to bite me as I’ve been reliably informed that this is a sycamore tree. Also it’s not growing out of the drain, it’s growing out of our house.
I know I can get tree stump killer and I will go and get some today. Just looking at the size of this tree and where it is on the house, have I left it too late? Would you get a professional in if you saw this? Any other tips to kill the devil spawn?
by phoebadoeb
11 Comments
Not too late, but definitely did the right thing by acting now. I wouldn’t say you’re in the crap at all, but left another year it would have been a bigger issue.
But if you’re going to use stump killer, please don’t use it near a drain. That looks like roof run off as opposed to waste, so unless it’s a combined system then the stump killer may end up in a watercourse.
If that small branch is all there was of it above the surface, the roots won’t be very big yet – a tree will only grow roots to match its canopy ( roughly) . ordinary weed killer will kill it if you have any, or could you borrow a drop? Just after you’ve cut the tree, paint some weed killer on it – undiluted if it is concentrated. If rain is forecast in the next 12 hours, cover the stump with a plastic bag held on with elastic. You have to apply the weedkiller straight away whilst the cut is fresh or the tree won’t absorb it.
Drill holes vertically into the stump prior to painting with weed killer
sycamore just keep cutting it down and itll die eventually
I might try drilling a couple of holes in the stump and filling them with Epsom salts and vinegar. Give it a good soaking and then cover completely with black plastic. It won’t completely remove it but it will stop it shooting and given a couple of applications over time it will rot out.
You can also buy tubular plastic inserts that release weed killer over a long time period I think, my neighbour had some trees and bushes removed which were growing into his basement and pushing inwards on the basement wall. I can’t recall the name but if I see him I’ll ask.
I’ve killed some very large stumps using this method.
1. Drill a 10mm as vertical as you can.
2. Put a funnel into the hole and wedge it in
3. Fill the funnel with glyphosate
4. Plastic bag over the funnel
The glyphosate will be drawn into the stump and kill it without risking it spreading to other plants or, in your case, into the drain.
Stem injection for this to prevent contamination of the drain
I have read you can hammer cooper nails into tree stumps to kill them, although I feel using the correct number of nails to have an effect may be tricky to work out.
Would avoid any side effects from weedkiller though.
I’ve not scrolled through all the comments do forgive me if this is already suggested.
Copper nails. This is literally all you need. Just cut the rest of the tree back to the stump and drive cooper nails in it, as well as the but you’ve cut