I’m in Los Angeles and the neighboring condo complex property has let their Tree of Heaven population get out of control. The area in question is difficult to get to and the TOH roots are growing under my shed’s slab and into my back yard.
This summer I set out to complete a landscaping project on my yard and discovered just how invasive TOH is and it’s derailed the project by about a month. I’ve learned alot and am hoping to at least kill the trees near my property to extend the life of my back yard project.
I will be reaching out to the property owner as these trees are taking over the entire hillside now. I’m estimating 100+ total at this point, maybe more.
My current plan of attack has been from multiple angles and I wanted to get some guidance to see if I stand a chance.
So far I stripped the land down to dirt, then:
1. Did a basal application of Triclopyr on as many small trees as I could get to in the hard to reach area behind my shed. I’d say I treated about 25 new (small) trees approx 4” in circumference.
2. Did a Hack and squirt with Triclopyr on the 3 larger trees closest to my property. I used a 2” chisel and went around the base about 5” from the ground. One of the trees is about 40’ tall and leans over my shed. I’m assuming the long roots (pictured) are coming from that one. They are also sprouting through the asphalt of the carport, in the neigboring apt complex behind my house.
3. I’ve begun putting down sheet metal anchored into concrete in the corner where the roots are coming through under my slab, and from the apartment carport behind my house. So far I’ve done 25’ approx 30” down. I intend on extending this another on either side, blocking off the entire back yard. I cut off all the roots in the area in the pics b/c I was rushed to fill the trench before a big storm came through (was worried the dirt wound cave in and damage the slab).
4. Prior to doing any more sheet metal Ive now decided to excavate and trace the large roots I discover. So far I’ve left the roots intact and have used the hack and squirt method as well as drilled a 1/4” shallow hole in the roots to fill with Triclopyr as well. I’ve been doing this at the end of the day when the sun is down so it stays wet as long as possible.
A few questions
1. Is there anything more I can do?
2. I applied the Triclopyr to the big area behind my shed about a week before a random storm came through last week. It dropped 4-5” of rain. We haven’t gotten rain here since May. When should I do another round of Triclopyr? Did my first application get washed away?
3. With the roots that are currently exposed that I’m hacking/squirting/drilling, is this going to cause the tree to start freaking out and sprouting like crazy? Is there a better approach now that they’re exposed?
4. How deep do these roots grow? The deepest I’ve measured is about 30” on the dot but then it curved back upwards. I’m concerned they will just grow under the sheet metal barrier Im installing
Appreciate any help!
by arizonamoonshine
1 Comment
Godspeed 🫡