Methods for Eliminating Woody Trees

Remove the outer bark layer. This method kills the tree by cutting off the sap flow from the roots to the top. You can strip the bark and use herbicides to speed up the process or proceed without chemicals. Bark stripping is the easiest and most common way to kill woody trees without using chemicals or herbicides, but it may take several months for the tree to die. Start by peeling off loose bark sections to access the trunk more easily. You should strip a ring of bark about 10-13 cm wide.

• You can strip the bark at any height, so choose a level that feels comfortable for moving around the tree trunk.

Wear protective gear. You have several options for cutting tree bark, such as using a chainsaw, axe, or even a wood chisel for thinner bark. Ensure safety measures are in place when using cutting tools, including protective eyewear.

Make a ring around the tree trunk. The depth of the cut depends on the tree's thickness. For very thin trees, a cut of about 1.3 cm may suffice, but for larger and harder trees, the cut should be 2.5-4 cm deep. Move around the tree and peel off a strip of bark as evenly as possible.

Cut a second ring around the tree trunk. To effectively strip the bark, you need to make another ring. These two rings should be spaced about 5-10 cm apart. The second ring should be as deep as the first.

• If using an axe, precise horizontal cuts may be challenging, so you can substitute with notches. To create notches, make a downward angled chop followed by an upward chop where the cuts meet in the middle. For small trees, the notch may only need to be about 5 cm wide, but larger trees require notches of 15-20 cm. Ensure the notches are equally deep, similar to cutting two bark rings.

Apply herbicide. If opting for herbicide use, spray it into the cuts within 5-10 minutes after cutting, before the exposed area dries and hardens. By using pesticides, you can kill the tree in about 6 weeks, significantly faster than the several months it would take without chemicals.

• Common and effective herbicides include glyphosate (Roundup or Killzall) and triclopyr (Garlon or Brush B Gon).
• Mix the herbicide according to the specific product's label instructions and spray it onto the tree's cuts.
• Prepare the herbicide in advance to spray onto the bark cuts as soon as possible.
• Read the herbicide label carefully before mixing or using.
• Wear protective eyewear, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, gloves, and closed-toe shoes when handling herbicides.

Wait for the tree to die. Now that the tree's sap flow is cut off and the herbicide has likely entered the root system, all you need to do is wait for the tree to die.

Find an axe. If you plan to use herbicide, the cut-and-spray method is as effective as bark stripping and requires less effort. This technique involves precise chopping and herbicide application instead of removing a full ring of bark. Start by locating an axe.

Mix herbicide in a spray bottle. The cut-and-spray method involves less cutting than bark stripping but still requires herbicide. Prepare the herbicide in a spray bottle before starting the chopping process.

• Common and effective herbicides include glyphosate (Roundup or Killzall) and triclopyr (Garlon or Brush B).
• Wear protective gear such as goggles, long-sleeved shirts, and gloves when handling herbicides.

Make a downward chop into the tree trunk. Use the axe to make a chop into the trunk, approximately 5 cm long. The cut should reach the light-colored sapwood for the herbicide to be effective.

Spray herbicide into the cut. After chopping into the tree, pull the axe head to the side of the cut instead of removing it completely, then spray herbicide down the axe head to allow it to flow into the sapwood of the cut.

• Remember to spray before the softwood in the cut has a chance to dry and harden.
• The label on each specific herbicide brand will provide instructions on the amount to spray per cut.
• Specialized spray nozzles designed for this purpose are also available on the market if you need to treat multiple trees.

Repeat the process for other cuts as instructed. Each specific brand will provide guidelines on the number of cuts needed based on the tree's circumference. Typically, you'll need to make additional cuts spaced about 2.5 – 7.5 cm apart from the edge of each cut.

Continue applying herbicide to each cut. Follow the recommendations on the herbicide label to ensure the correct dosage is applied to each cut. Use a spray nozzle or the flat side of an axe to apply the herbicide until every cut is thoroughly treated.

Take all necessary precautions. Unlike other methods that leave the tree standing, this approach requires felling the tree, making it ideal for removing trees that obstruct views or need immediate removal. Since the tree will be cut down, start by taking safety measures when using a chainsaw and ensure the area where the tree will fall is secure.

Prepare the herbicide solution. Similar to other herbicide methods, you'll need to apply glyphosate or triclopyr to the cuts immediately after making them. Read the label instructions and mix the solution in a spray bottle before cutting the tree.

• Wear safety goggles, gloves, and long sleeves when handling herbicides.

Fell the tree. For smaller trees, the area where the tree falls will be narrower and easier to manage. However, for larger trees, extra caution is required when cutting them down. For detailed instructions on safe tree felling, refer to the article 'How to Safely Cut Down a Tree.'

• For large trees, consider hiring professional tree removal services.

Apply herbicide to the exposed surface of the remaining stump. Many people are unaware that simply cutting down a tree won't eliminate the root system. Often, the roots will allow the tree to sprout anew. By brushing herbicide onto the exposed sapwood of the stump, you can effectively treat and control the entire root system.

• For smaller trees, you can apply herbicide directly to the cut surface. For larger trees, the hardened heartwood may not absorb the herbicide, so focus on applying it to the outer ring where the lighter-colored sapwood is visible.