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Tree well weeding

12 years ago

I have four trees with wells around them and deer fencing. They are 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter. Two crab apples, a locust and a purple ash. The wells get full of bindweed. The weed forum says the only way to get rid of bindweed is by spraying, best with 24-D. Fall a good time.

Is it safe to spray in the wells? If not what to do? Also is it a good idea to let the grass fill in the well?

Thanks, John

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Comments (7)

hortster
12 years ago
If you have no suckering from the root graft, go for it. If you do have suckering, cut the suckers off and cover the fresh cuts with aluminum foil before spraying. I would use glyphosate, although a three way would probably work, but also might affect the trees. 2,4D and other chems can leach and hurt them.
hortster
Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
12 years ago
Hortster, with it being a younger tree with thinner bark would you place cardboard or another barrier around the trunk with its thinner bark?

Oh yeah, and I am a round up fan in these situations. If it doesnt touch green it doesnt kill. Root killers make me nervous.
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
12 years ago
I'd even be careful with the RU. Evidence shows that it can be absorbed into the bark on younger (or thin barked) trees, and may even effect the rhizosphere where the roots are co-mingling.
Dan _Staley (5b Sunset 2B AHS 7)
12 years ago
Personally I'd shield the trunk. And cover suckers if you have them, per Hortster. I've had enough inadvertent herbicide damage that it is simply better to take the 10 minutes and shield.

Dan
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
12 years ago
weeds go dormant.. just like trees do..

herbicide will not work with peak efficiency if the plant is declining into dormancy ...

so it need be done sooner rather than later in fall ...

make sense???

read all instructions on roundup ... mix the appropriate solution ... use a cheap paint roller [dollar store] or sponge paint brush ... and avoid spray drift entirely ... and hitting unintended victims ...

ken
John_7700
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks to all. I'm new here and at gardening. If I understand, assuming that I protect the tree by brushing on the herbicide, the 2,4,D will go down the weed root but could also spread to the trees roots. The Roundup will go down the weed root but not spread or harm the tree.

Thanks, John
alexander3_gw
12 years ago
How big are the wells? It's not too difficult to follow each bindweed vine down to the ground and pull it out by the roots. Works well in my clay soil.

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