Pouring diesel fuel all over the place? What a nightmare! Applying a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide like glyphosate (Roundup, etc.) or triclopyr amine (Brush-B-Gon, etc.) to the freshly cut cambium should produce excellent results. These products should be applied without adding water (for instance Roundup is commonly sold as an 18% concentrate, which would work great). Herbicide applied to the heartwood (either in holes much deeper than the cambium or applied to the inner surface of the stumps will not help to kill the tree's root system. The chemical mush enter the tree's vascular system to be effective. A single application of these chemicals, done right, is usually enough to completely kill a tree. For really determined stumps, a second treatment to the sprouts (before they get very large) may be needed to finish the job.

Can't help with finding, but a warning - Honorine Jobert (tall white) has spread very aggressively in my yard, and is difficult to remove when it gets into rose bushes etc. I hand treated with Roundup and only got partial removal with it coming back completely in 2 years. The shorter pink forms seem to be better behaved... PPS if any one is interested in HJ they can come to Los Gatos and dig as much as they like...

Do you have a box store such as Home Depot, Lowes, K-mart, Wal-mart close by? Those stores normally carry what we refer to as "cactus mix". Any brand will do. Joshua Trees are not all that fussy about special soil requirements but do prefer to have good drainage. Or you could just use 2 parts regular potting mix with 1 part perlite added. Let the seedlings develop at least 5-7 leaves then gently use a mini hand towel or tweezers to push the seedling off and plant in a new container with fresh mix. Water well and do let soil dry out between watering.

First, you must find a way to keep the squirrels off the house. You will continue to have the problem until the squirrels are denied access. Common Access Points: 1. A tree limb that is overhanging the roof or within a few feet of the roof. 2. Ivy or other vines climbing the exterior walls. 3. A trellis to close to the house is a squirrel ladder. 4. Electric power wires. The critter climbs the utility pole and gets onto the wires and then may have access to your roof depending on the details of your installation. In our town, the power company lays out the distrubition transformer and wires (on the pole) in a way that discourages squirrels. However, in some installations, the squirrels do manage to get on the insulated service entrance wires without electrocuting themselves. 5. Wood siding or wood downspouts are climable. 6. Ancillary buildings nearby. Most building codes call for a minimum separation between unattached building such as sheds for fire protection purposes, but if you are ina rural area, you building may have been constructed differently. I've seen many old farm houses with a smoke house or utility shed located a few feet from the back door. If the shed is climable, it is a stepping stone for the squirrels. In our neighborhood, we have red (fox) and gray squirrels. Our experience has been that it is the little fiesty red squirrels who are the most persistent, do the most damage, and the most difficult to evict. My next door neighbor was invaded by red squirrels. They entered his house by chewing a hole through the roof next to the chimney. He made repairs and removed two trees that were too close to the house. The problem was solved once the squirrels were denied access to the roof.