What should I use to kill my 8ft Weeping Willow tree?

Question

It is blocking my view, and the roots are beginning to poke up through the lawn, plus I am bothered about where the roots are going as it is fairly close to the house. I am presuming I cut it faurly close to the ground and apply some kind of chemical?

Answer 1

Try and dig it out if you can, at 8 foot it shouldn't be too hard, just start a good couple of feet away from the tree.

If you can manage this without chopping the tree down first it is easier to get the roots out of your land, this also means no unsightly stump and you can reuse the area with something more attractive and not spread chemicals into your soil.

Answer 2

Willow Tree Stockists

Answer 3

We have a mature golden willow in our garden which is about 120 feet away from the house (do not plant closer than this!) and looks as fantastic now as it did 20 years ago when we bought the house. Be aware that they grow and spread. Ours is now about 60 ft wide and about that high, and even though it is healthy, they can be damaged by high winds such as the hurricanes which ripped a big branch off, and a few other major storms which did damage but which didn't show immediately. So don't build anything underneath it. They also shade everything within reach, so the lawn below it is very prone to moss, particularly as we have a heavy clay soil. They need ample water, and will suck the soil dry below it in drought years. Be aware that they are messy trees, dropping acidic leaves in autumn which do the grass no good, and fine twigs and very light branches throughout the year. They can be polled and trimmed back ruthlessly if you think they are getting too big, but in general terms they are self-pruning, and prefer you to leave them alone. I just cut a path through the lower branches where they trail across the path, mainly because I don't like getting slapped by a rain soaked willow branch when I go down to put the vegie peelings onto the compost heap which is way past the tree. I believe there is some guidance on how close to a house you can plant various types of trees from the NHBC, but your public library might be able to help you get more information. Be aware that a willow needs to be a good way away from any house foundations, including your neighbours, as the owners are liable for the damage that they can cause. I really love mine, but you really do need a big garden.

Answer 4

You need to get the roots out or it will start to sprout new shoots. If you cannot manage this, when the tree is felled, drill a large hole into the stump and pour in brick acid, but take care not to spill it on yourself, this will kill of the stump and rot the roots. It's available from any builders merchants or use creosote which you get from any DIY store in the fencing section, both work. Did this with my 30ft Almond tree.
Hope this helps and have a nice day.

Answer 5

Cut the tree as close to the ground as possible.

Where stumps cannot be removed, apply weedkillers such as ammonium sulphamate* (Root Out, Deep Root or Amcide), glyphosate (such as Roundup) or triclopyr (SBK Brushwood Killer), as directed by the manufacturer's instructions on the label. Ideally, apply immediately after felling. Expect roots to be killed within six weeks, although the stump may take several years to completely rot away.

* The active ingredient ammonium sulphamate and all products containing it are being withdrawn. It can continue to be sold until 22 November 2007, but can be stored and used until 22 May 2008.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1102/tree_stumps.asp

Answer 6

Some Weeping Willows (Salix Alba Tristis, Babylonica etc, etc) are big boys (60ft ish) and not for small gardens or to be grown near to a house.

Yes you can cut the tree down to about 1ft and apply Deep Root Granules, which in time will kill the stump.

If you still want a willow, may I suggest Salix Caprea Pendula or Salix integra hakuro Nishiki which are not invasive,or big.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Quite simply,get a sharp knife and completely remove a strip of bark about 50mm wide all around the trunk,right down to the soft,sappy,white wood.
This will stop sap rising to feed the tree and it will die back naturally.Make the cut as near to the soil as possible,after the willow dies paint brushwood killer obtainable from horticultural stockists,onto any remaining living wood,
following the makers' instructions,this will transmigrate to the roots and should solve your problem.

Answer 8

Weeping willows have a tendency to stump sprout... I'd girdle the tree completely now, and start taking out branches next year.
In a couple of years, the reserves in the roots will be completely exhasted and you can take down the trunk.

Answer 9

SBK stump bush killer. Cut it close to ground level, make a few cuts with your saw across the centre of the stump, drill a hole in the centre of the stump about 4 to 6 inch deep, mix SBK with oil (old engine oil will do ), fill hole and cover the stump with the mixture cover the stump with a sheet of dark plastic.

Answer 10

Hammer some copper nails into the trunk, the resulting chemical reaction will kill the tree.