I removed the bark from mine so that the wood could dry. I do not water close to the roots and so far they "I have 2> have lasted for 15 years and not rotted off. I am in zone 4/5 Utah.

Thanks for the responses. Well, I ended up deciding to get the stumps and main roots pulled up - a man came with a "skidster" - okay - I did not realize how much this would compact the ground around the work area. Lots of lawn also torn up - those roots were massive. I am glad the trees were cut as out driveway and sidewalks would have been affected in a few years. So, with ripping all those roots out I was able to plant replacement trees right away - we needed to put something in these areas. So then I had the pleasure of learning how to plant grass seed in the damaged areas. Thankfully we are now blessed with cool rainy weather for several days. Okay, now ready to stop landscaping for a while!

keeping cutting them off.. or get rid of the tree ... my gut simply tells me sucker stopping goo is snake oil... and frankly.. you would be better off...getting rid of the tree.. and spending the goo money on a new tree ... really.. cant you get a nice 3 to 4 foot clump for 30 bucks or so????... so why spend that on goo???? ... its a birch.. no need to buy bigger than that ... just cut it flush to the ground... treat the cut with 100% roundup.. and plant a new babe.. a far enough way... to be able to dig a hole for the plant... and please dont tell me.. is so close to the house.. that you cant possibly work in a new tree.. lol ... show us a pic.. if you want some real good advice.. this guessing.. is.. well... guessing... why should we even presume.. its worth keeping... never forget.. the front of the house says a lot about who lives in the house.. and a half storm-massacred tree.. might not be the best you can put forward ... good luck ken ps: i have one doing this gratuitously.. about 450 feet from the front door.. i really dont care.. i am enjoying watching do its own thing... but if i were back in suburbia.... with a 50 foot deep front lawn... and this was in a prime front location .... that thing would be gone faster than i could shake a stick at it.. and it wouldnt be a sucker stick either.. lol ...

"Tordon RTU" this herbicide I usually pick up at the local Co-Op. Averages about $13.00 a bottle, blue color liquid, and is applied to the stumps of fresh cut trees. Your trees won't come back. Just apply the liquid to the fresh cut surface of the stump and say good bye to the entire living system of the tree. Hope this helps.