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tree diagram tally swell beauty to your landscape painting and their shade can help keep cooling price low . But when a tree outgrows its localisation or is in earnest damage in a storm , it becomes a hazard that should be polish off , and chop it down is only half the engagement .
A tree ’s hole-and-corner rootage organisation can extend up to 20 feet deep in idealistic grunge conditions , and propagate over an even gravid area . The roots can continue to grow even after the trunk is gone ; if they ’re too near to your sewer descent or cornerstone , they can cause serious damage . kill the roots can quash potential job down the road .
Photo: DigiPub / Getty Images DigiPub
One common path to bolt down tree diagram roots is one that the BobVila.com stave does not support : using the chemical herbicide glyphosate , the active factor in RoundUp , on the ascendant and tree stump . We never urge the use of this herbicide . or else , we urge lecturer to seek out more environmentally root to lawn and garden trouble .
How to Kill Tree Roots Using Rock Salt
Although it takes prospicient time to mold , rock saltiness can effectively pour down tree rootage by robbing them of water .
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
Rock saltWaterDrillwith a1 - in or larger drill second
Step 1: Drill holes into the tree’s trunk and roots.
bore-hole several hole 3 to 4 inches late into the cut surface of the tree trunk . Make several additional hole into any gravid theme that are exposed near the solid ground .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ When we bought our home the front G had one beautiful tree and one stump . After removing the dais there were still quite a few roots , so we have an unconventional approach : We built up a fire pit [ over the root word ] , and for two years we had bonfire there . After two class , between the fire and the natural decomposition process , it was easy to just countermand out the stay dead roots and repair the lawn . I live in Minnesota where balefire are tolerate on the front lawn so it was n’t an payoff . ”
— Amber Guetebier , Contributing Writer
Step 2: Fill the holes with rock salt and water.
spit rock and roll salt into the holes you ’ve bore , and then pour water into the holes . The rock salt resolution is harmful to surrounding vegetation and toxic to pet , so take tending to avoid overfilling the maw . Repeat this process several clock time over the course of action of a few month , and eventually the rock Strategic Arms Limitation Talks will bolt down the tree roots . ( You ’ll know the root are dead when there is no longer any regrowth from the proboscis . )
If you are distressed that the etymon have invaded a sewerage occupation or your foundation , you may also try digging the turgid tree diagram ascendant out of the soil . It ’s an punishing cognitive process , but once you remove them you could reclaim your lawn .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the veracious plants for your soil and realm .
