Submitted by MrChichibadman t3_124ejkr in pittsburgh
A tree of heaven I tried poisoning in the fall, right next to my foundation grows by the year. Anticipating the fucker is still going strong, as it still looks healthy. It’s near some power lines so Im considering a professional to cut it down rather than getting on the roof and cutting in small increments. Any recommendations?
I hacked into various places around the trunk and sprayed 73.3% glyphosate into it. It was early September, and again about a month later.
Couple thoughts:
Glyphosate works, triclopyr is better for ToH (per PA Dept of Ag, Penn State Ag Extension). Tractor Supply sells "Brushtox," a highly-concentrated Triclopyr-based product.
You did what's called "hack-and-squirt" - a recommended method for treating ToH, but it's known to take several applications over a year or two to really work.
Try cutting the herbicide with a little bit of diesel - the thickened mixture will sit in the hacks, whereas unmixed herbicide can just trickle out.
September is pushing you luck at the end of the season. At the end of the growing season, the tree pulls nutrients into the roots for the dormant season. Herbicides must be applied before this starts. A good indicator that this has started is red-colored leaves. If the leaves are red, it's too late.
Depending on the size of the plant, a foliar application can work relatively quickly, but if it's too big, spraying the leaves may be unsafe as herbicide can blow back at you.
Sounds like you're on the right track, but may need one or two more applications this year. Just whatever you do, do not cut it down until you are certain the damn thing is dead.
I’ll try the brush tox in August. Thanks.
Last year, I called the manufacturer to verify appropriate use for it on ToH, I have notes somewhere. I'll dig them out later and PM you their instructions.
Appreciate it!
chop it down with a sawzall
Edit...NVM this is a bad idea, apparently if you cut them down, they sprout more of these damn things
It will just grow back
It will, but that’s no reason to let it keep growing and provide a haven for the SPLF. It may also make it somewhat easier to kill.
Bad advice. I know someone that had a Tree of Heaven pop up in his yard. Before we had a chance to treat it with herbicide, his landscaper hacked it down with hedge trimmers. Couple weeks later we found 8 new Tree of Heaven sprouts.
The Penn State Ag Extension and PA Dept of Agriculture specifically recommend not cutting down these damn trees. Triclopyr is the recommended herbicide, and there are several ways to apply it depending on size of the plant and time of year.
damn...
I stand corrected. I had no idea they did this
Cutting it can actually make it harder to kill in the long run. You'll end up with multiple trees by next year. Definitely needs to be removed, probably by a professional.
Interesting…damn these things suck even more than I realized
Tordon Blue (comes in a red labeled bottle) and rm43 will kill just about any living thing. I own and operate a Tree service and have found that these are really the only widely available options that work consistently. If you do use them, make sure to read all the labels and wear proper ppe because they're both pretty nasty. If you have any questions, feel free to dm me.
Thanks.
The Penn State Extension is a taxpayer-funded horticulture service for PA residents (Penn State operates it on behalf of the state).
Here is their page on getting rid of Tree Of Heaven: https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven-control-strategies. They also have a summary page with an extensive section on controlling it: https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven.
tldr: Cutting it down will not work. Like others mentioned, you need to apply the right types of herbicide at just the right time to be effective (mid-summer until the leaves start to turn). If you applied herbicide after the leaves turned, it probably didn't work and you'll have to try again around August.
Penn State Extension operates per-county hotlines. Heres the one for Allegheny County: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/allegheny/hotline.
They are *very* interested in reducing Tree Of Heaven because it is the main vector for Spotted Lanternflies.
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Pm me I can refer you to my landscaper
Do not use poison, especially if you’re not trained in using it. It will contaminate your property and the dirt.
No it won't. Triclopyr is the best herbicide for Tree of Heaven, and it had very low soil activity. It doesn't leech and it dissipates fairly quickly (unless you buy a mixture branded to "work all year").
I'm as crunchy as they come, but this is bad info. I wouldn't hesitate to use an herbicide on Tree of Heaven, because that's the only practical way to kill off the roots if it's living next to a building foundation. It's not like you can physically remove it, unless you plan on excavating the side of your house.
HomicidalHushPuppy t1_jdzqjyn wrote
What did you do to poison it? Certain methods work faster than others.
Edit: Also, depending on when in "fall" you treated it, you may have been too late. If the leaves had already started to turn red, you missed your chance.