Need help how to permanently kill pervasive root system
Erin
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
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lisanti07028
7 years agoErin
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Will sheering part of the root of my persimmon sapling kill it?
Comments (4)I agree with kiwinut. I don't think anything you do to the root other than maybe ensuring the cut is as clean as possible (which you did) will help at all. If anything, I'd expect any additions (wax or any other type of sealant) to be possible negatives. The tree should grow new roots from the area, and cover over the wound. If your tree survives the first few days after this injury, I'd think it will be able to fend for itself....See MoreKill the Ivy! Kill the Ivy! Help me Kill The Ivy!
Comments (15)I would also assume that it is legal in PA, but you can always check with your cooperative extension and see what they say. You mentioned that your slope is southfacing, so I assume that it gets sun. That should make it easier than a shady site to get something to grow. I am probably not the best expert, but what about forsythia bushes? The one I have in my backyard is prolific without being uncontrollable and I think would be deeply rooted enough to help stabilize the slope. Also I would think that they would be fairly inexpensive and common at the big box stores so that you could get a bunch in without breaking the bank. My other thought was some low growing evergreen bushes. I have some on my sunny slope and they are doing quite well. For the shaded portion of my slope I am looking at planting some hydrangeas (once I get the ivy out) and maybe some ferns. Litrope would also be a good choice and is sold at the box stores. I would consider digging it up now while it is not completely established and not out of control. Like a misplaced tree, it will just get to be a bigger proble to solve later if it is left to flourish now. Plus I would expect to find it establishing other places in your yard (far from where it is planted) and becoming a problem in many spots. Last, I know that in my english ivy is where the poison ivy starts. I only have poison ivy where the English Ivy is and that is a bigger problem! Here is a link that might be useful: MD Suggestions for Groundcovers...See MoreKilling root system of english ivy
Comments (49)I started trying to remove a 12x4foot patch of ivy about 10 months ago in the fall. I did not want to use chemicals, so I died digging it up. This spring, bed was full of tender ivy shoots. I took a week off of work and spent every day working section by section turning the soil with a shovel, then sitting in the dirt painstakingly sifting through the dirt pulling out all of the roots that I could find. The bed is currently has an ample supply of weeds, and minimal regrowth of ivy. In the fall I will probably repeat my grid eradication method. I should be able to complete it in a long weekend this time around. I agree with other posters that say this stuff should be illegal to plant/sell. It would not surprise me if I found the hand of Satan grasping a root as I try to pull it out. I have a negative physical reaction when I see this stuff for sale at the garden center. There should be a waiting period and required counselling before anyone can buy this stuff. Oh, P.S. I tried 30% vinegar /dish soap/table salt on a second, smaller patch. This killed the above ground plant in a day, but the ivy appears to have been emboldened by my effort, and returned with a vengeance. No substitute for elbow grease if you want to eradicate this stuff without using damaging chemicals....See MoreHow to kill Wisteria roots?
Comments (10)Are you seeing sprouts from the roots, Molie? One way to kill off roots is to simply starve them, but this takes commitment and persistence. You would want to look carefully for sprouting leaves weekly and remove them as low as possible. If you keep up with it so that the wood doesn’t have a chance to harden, you can typically just rub off any new sprouts. Without the energy produced by leaves, the plant will eventually die. Then you can just leave the roots to rot. Alternately, a disposable paint brush and an admittedly toxic brush killer will do it. For things like this, I use undiluted glyphosate because it breaks down into nontoxic materials in a relatively short amount of time and doesn’t travel in soils or between plants. I make a fresh cut and paint it on the outer edge of the cut surface where the vascular system of the plant (which is just under the bark) will take it to the roots. No need to paint on the center of the cut area since that won’t help. This way I use the absolute minimum of herbicide to the best effect. I know you crossposted this to the organic gardening forum, so I apologize to those folks, but these are your only two options other than continuing to dig up roots. Wonky things like salt will remain in the soil longer and prevent anything from growing where it is spread as well as eventually migrating to groundwater, and herbicides like strong vinegar will kill foliage but not roots....See Morefloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years agoErin
7 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years agoErin
7 years agocakbu z9 CA
7 years agoErin
7 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years agoErin
7 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years agofloral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
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