I really don't want to remove this baby because I love all the plants in my backyard but this thing is like right up against the foundation and is taller then the second story window at this point.
All parts of it are thin enough it feels like something I could do on my own, but I'm not sure I understand the etiquette on root removal when the plant is so close to the house. Should I just be chopping it down/using some root killer and leaving the roots alone? Or do roots by the house need to be entirely removed? I'm a little new to owning a home and having the ability to actually change around things so unfortunately i'm very beginner. I've taken down my share of honeysuckle, but that's about where my expertise ends so if the answer is that the roots need to be entirely removed I would have to look into calling someone if that makes sense.
Thank you!
by dalegribbleyaoi
9 Comments
do you know what it is? do you want some of it somewhere? wouldn’t be hard to find parts to move, but to kill it cut it and apply herbicide to base. Ideally you do this when dormant, so if you do now, just do it again in late fall. One approach is to cut now, no heebicide, then spray the dense, low green leaves when they come up in a few weeks, if there is a clean shot. Don’t cut too low, so there’s room to cut again in fall.
I would not try to dig up the whole thing. giant mess, and parts will break off and resprout.
loppers or chain saw
You can stick a long saws all blade in the ground and circle the plant. Should get some of it out this way.
If you want it totally dead, clip off or saw off each branch a couple inches from the ground. Then paint then stump with stump killer and the roots will die.
Cut it down the have the roots ground up or pulled out. However it could be attached to the foundation. I would have a foundation expert come in and check
Cut off each stem at the base then apply brush killer to the little stumps. I’ve even drilled holes in the cut ends to allow more herbicide to soak in. Should kill it and then the roots will rot out in a year or so. Can easily do all that yourself if physically able.
Water it for a day then wrap a chain around the base and pull it out with a pickup or tractor.
It looks like Rose of Sharon. Very hardy. Pretty flowers but woody and grows anywhere! Cut it down then Dig it up. It will probably keep coming up for years after…
Backhoe and chain.
Call an excavation company and get a price. You might be happier to be done with it in the very few minutes that would take.