Tree root killer needed

[HR_Mutt]

We have a large area that is saturated w/ locust trees. The stumps and surrounding areas send up new trees very quickly. Anyone know of a good way to kill the roots?(besides digging them up!!!)I was once told to use Miratic(sp?) Acid when they start to grow but that is some rough stuff! Thanks
Mutt

 

[glennmac]

Dont know or do chemicals. Remove the stumps and keep mowing the area. The roots will eventually die.

 

[mikim]

we have some stuff at the office that sure does it - it's called sprakil sk-26 , comes in a granular form, active ingredients:
tebuthiuron, n'dimethylurea, diuron
(no idea - just read it off the label)
but it will definitely kill small trees and maybe even big ones. we use it to control woody weeds at field sites.

comes from ssi maxim co. in kilgore tx
mike

 

[HR_Mutt]

glennmac
I have nightmares of locust roots. Dug probably 50 of 'em, it's a major job. I'll have to get a pic. The roots totally saturate the area, and really hang on. It would be easier to get the Army to drop one of those "daisy cutter" bombs in the area and would probably be less mess/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
regards
Mutt

 

[HR_Mutt]

mikim
I'll check around for it. We both have pesticide applicators licenses just never needed or wanted to go chemical on the place. Could this be used in the same area w/ other trees that we don't want to kill? Thanks for the lead. Thinking about it now, they did mention herbicides not available over the shelf.
regards
Mutt

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Once you cut the stump, put Roundup on the exposed stump. The cut stump draws it in to the roots.

 

[MossRoad]

That's the same thing a forester told us. Cut the tree down and use a squirt bottle to put properly mixed roundup or brush killer on the cut, being particularly careful to get it on the bark's cut edge. The trouble with locust trees, is if you cut them and don't treat the stumps you get 10 more growing out of the stump. I've even seen someone put a green locust log in the ground for a fence pole and it sprouted branches and suckers! They're tough customers.

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>

 

[Timd]

What everyone here does to prevent stump regrowth is
to drill a couple dozen holes in the stump and fill them with
kerosene. Works best if done right after the tree is cut
as the kero will be drawn down into the root system.
Repeat at least once for a big stump. I have never seen
this fail to kill roots. I wouldn't use gasoline for this
(although some people do) because of the MBTE and
risks of well contamination.

Timd

 

[TerryinMD]

Yes, both locust and sumac are tough customers.

As previouslly mentioned, cut the tree/sapling, apply brush-be-gone or something similar to the outside of the stump (the bark and cambrium (sp) layer) immediately after cutting. The tree will then suck the solution into the roots and kill it. Well there are exceptions. If the tree is really large, you may not kill all of it. Once the stumps are removed, any leftover roots will eventually die off if you keep on cutting any new saplings.

Been there.... done that....

Good luck,
Terry

 

[patrickg]

I vote for a systemic poison applied to the stump like mentioned by others and a similar spray on the new foilage if it has new growth. Roundup is pretty enviro-safe as it degrades pretty quickly. A much less environmentally toxic killing method is to drill several deep holes in the stump and pour in a strong potassium nitrate (AKA salt peter) solution. Repeat this several times It is a powerful oxidizer but not toxic to the environment like herbicides. Later when several applications of the solution have been taken in and the stump has dried, set it on fire. When heated the potassium nitrate will release oxygen and the stump will burn way down inside, hollowing out. KnO3, potassium nitrate comprises 75% of black gunpowder, by weight. I never tried high nitrate fertilizer (the terrorist's bomb ingredient) for this but it might work pretty good.

Patrick