Q.Killing tree roots to keep from sprouting new trees
A birch & a Chinese Hackberry have been cut down, leaving a stumps which I would like to be ground down. What can I do to poison the roots before the grinding takes place?
The tree service that took out some trees for me told me to paint the surface of the stump with Round Up right out of the container. It needs to be the concentrate type that you add to water to spray weeds. Only in this case do not water it down, paint it on the surface of the stumps in the concentrated form. Be sure it is on there for two to three weeks prior to having them ground down for the most effective kill. It is best to do this application as soon as possible after the removal so it gets absorbed in best. If it has been a while, drill some 3/8" to 1/2" holes down into the surface of the stump so that the concentrate has a good avenue for absorption. This has worked for me on several removed trees now.