Anything to kill tree roots?

Question

I have a Maple tree that I cut down to about 2' from the ground I am afraid it will grow back again. Is their any way to kill the root?
Someone told me to nail copper nails in it and the chemical reaction would kill the root (I don't think so). Any ideas?

Answer 1

There's a product that you can easily find in most hardware stores that contains the active ingredient called "TRICLOPYR". It's marketed under a few names (Brush-B-Gone or Brush-Killer).

This was developed primarily to get rid of tough-to-kill brush species and broad-leaved weeds but it also does a great job in killing established trees.

Since you've already cut your tree back to 2 feet above the soil line.....you can either cut it back another 6 inches to expose the "green wood" and spray or brush the product onto the trunk BUT this must be done within 10 minutes after you make your cut.

The alternative is to drill 1/2-inch holes & 6 inches deep into the top of the trunk of your tree (to the green wood) so that you can pour the product into these holes.

Once it's been applied, it works very similar to Roundup and is then translocated down to the roots. The roots will begin to dessicate and rot after a couple of months.

Keep in mind that "Triclopyr" can also be used on lawns to kill broad-leaved weeds such as dandeions, spurge, oxalis, bindweed, etc. I've used this product many times and it's a great one to have around!

Hope this helps solve your problem! GOOD LUCK!

-Certififed Professional Crop Consultant with over 30 years of experience and a Degree in Plant Science

Answer 2

There are products on the market for this. Stump remover type chemicals. The Round up would work if the tree was just cut down and you made a nitrogen saturated solution first before adding the glyphosate. (With very warm water slowly add ammonium sulfate, stirring continually until no more will dissolve. Strain it and then add the glyphosate)

Copper nails is a wive's tale.......and deadly if someone comes along with a stump grinder later. My favorite wive's tale for copper nails is it changes the sex of a tree.

Answer 3

What Kills Tree Roots

Answer 4

You have lots of answers to choose from, some sound good in theory, others are just plain stupid!
Do any of your answerer's know what xylem is and how many rings absorb and transport nutrients? sounds not.!
The center of a tree is inactive all but about 5 of the outer rings of the tree, the rest is for support and is shutdown xylem, drilling holes all over the stump does nothing but help to start a stump grinding process, and perhaps hold any liquid you may decide to pour into them.
However, over fertilizing a tree or adding salt to the tree will kill it, salt tends to hinder the transportation of water through the tree.

You could always take a slice off the Top of the stump so you are back to fresh timber and add a chemical called :-
Tryclopyramine - Garlon <(trade name).
This is a selective herbicide and only kills broad leaved/ woody stem-ed weeds, so will not harm your lawn.

hope that is of some help.

Answer 5

Depending on the size of the trunk, you can drill holes in the stump like swiss cheese. Make the holes 2" deep or so, then apply a cheap fertilizer like 10-10-10 to the top. This will speed the decomposition of the trunk and so much chemical will kill the tree.

Answer 6

harsh cemicals, drilling holes any chance of just having a few camp fires over the aera the tree wont be able to grow back and you will slowly get rid of an eyesore (the stump) any of the roots that stick up out of the ground will rot away fairly fast (a summer or 2) periodically add some soil to keep the ground level as will begin to sink as roots and stump rot away

Answer 7

I've heard the same thing about copper nails.
I accidently killed a tree by spraying bleach on the red rocks that I used as a patio next to the tree. The red was coming off on shoes, the dog etc. I thought mild bleach would get rid of the red residue.. It did, but it also killed my tree.
I learn something new every day.

Answer 8

Copper nails will not work. Best bet is to rent a stump grinder and get rid of it once and for all! Why put chemicals into your soil if there is a better solution.

Answer 9

here is the way to solve your tree ... caution this will kill whatever else gets spilled upon ---- dig a hole as deep as possible in the center of the tree stump and fill the cavity with ice-cream salt or rock salt and wet the salt and wait for the chemical action to the roots --- the tree will not grow anymore and this will kill the roots... guaranteed.....

Answer 10

I have a maple tree in the front yard and it's roots are cracking my basement wall. Can I kill the roots doing this without killing the tree?