There are more behind me and to the left and the right…… I cut down 15 the other day….. how long will it take the roots to rot out if I keep killing new growth.
Does anyone have a replacement recommendation? The rest of the garden is succulents and palms etc.
by Brianemone
11 Comments
I feel your pain! I recently cut down several of these eye-gougers. Fortunately most were in pots but had rooted which was exactly how I felt after a marathon removal session. Hope it goes okay.
Cut, drill , glyphosate, repeat.
I hate these things.
There’s only 2 options.
Brute force: Mattock, stump grinder, crowbar and could even use a 4WD to yank them out.
Long game: cut down to base, drill down into the base with a large bit and fill the hole with neat glyphosate, or kerosene, or pool salts.
https://preview.redd.it/rcpndg21vcqg1.png?width=396&format=png&auto=webp&s=70a310eb1cc6fab18a06570e87829019f8b1a995
Congrats OP on constructing your elephant-proof hedgerow!
We ended up getting a mini excavator in to dig the root balls out because they do.not.die
Small tactical nuke?
I cut two and I thought it was a job from hell, but I’m free. Then saw yours my brother… you living the hell itself.
Cut as close as possible to the ground, drag the trunk to a compost away from your yard and water, and paint the fresh cut with a mix of kerosene and blackberry killer… yes, it will affect nearby plants and trees, but maybe you have no choice. Few weeks later, dig out the ball using a bobcat or mini digger and dispose them off away from any compost, maybe burn them!
Any small shoots come out, pull them out before growing. In couple of years hopefully the soil repair itself and possibly clean to plant whatever you think is appropriate.
Continually cutting them will not kill them, they will grow from the stump. Removal of the root bulb or poisoning.
I just took about 20 out, mattock on most, the last 2 were big so yanked it with my 4wd.
I just paid someone to stump grind them. Took a couple of hours and around 20 of them were done. Wouldn’t even know there used to be there! Mine were about 5x as thick too
Dear me.