skip to main content

How to kill Holly Bushes

Robert Raczkowski

5 years ago

When we moved into our house 15 years ago the former owners had a huge, unmaintained "jungle" in the back of the yard. Every kind of weed, tree, etc you can thing of was growing all crammed together . We spent weeks pulling and digging everything out and its been pretty good since.

One thing that is still popping up it old holly bushes. We dug them out the best we could but they start growing in random places again. Some of them we can't dig out totally, our neighbor constructed a fence right against ours so there is a no mans land between them where weeds and holly love to grow.

Is there a safe way to kill the holly? I've used 100% undiluted vinegar, while it kills everything else the holly keeps growing. I know there are chemical brush killers, but are they effective against holly?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
There is a seed bank in place that is creating new seedlings. If you can catch them while still in the seedling stage, they are relatively easy to pull out. Once they get bigger, it will take a more concentrated effort :-)

Vinegar will do nothing but cause some shriveling of the foliage. It will have no impact on the root system and hollies will regrow from just stubs. When the plants are in full growth mode - like now - cut off the top growth and apply an herbicide that contains triclopyr directly to the cut end of the stem. It may take more than a single application but it IS effective.
Robert Raczkowski
Original Author
5 years ago
will burning stubs with a torch work?
Related Discussions
how do i relocate a start of a holly bush?
Q
Comments (1)
Cut the connection between the parent plant and the layer, then transplant same as any other.
...See More
How to kill a pokeweed that is next to a holly bush?
Q
Comments (7)
crikey .... use the very expensive applicator at the link ... fill with RU ... cut down plant.. drip RU on the stump ... i will yell .... IT IS NOT A SPRAY THING ... if you read the label of RU ... it is used.. undiluted.. as a stump killer ... you are killing a stump ... if it is a huge P ... you will NEVER dig it all up.. unless you are prepared to dig a 3 foot deep hole ... any piece left.. will be back.. even if it takes a year or two ... return unused RU to properly labeled container ... and rinse out the applicator ... do not store near hot dogs ... lol ... you can use this system for any tree... shrub... large weed.. and barely use a tablespoon.. since you are using it drop by drop ... generic RU does the same ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link
...See More
How to kill tree without damaging other bushes
Q
Comments (4)
get full strength round up.. or generic [ a lot cheaper] .. none of that pre diluted stuff ... put it in a container like at the link ... cut to stump if planning on digging it out .... [cut flush to ground if not .. about a foot or two ... leaving NO LEAVES] .... apply a line of RU around the edge of the cut ... it will get sucked into the cambian layer.. the vascular system of the plant.. and EVENTUALLY kill the plant ... 90% of the time... i use the applicator at the link if anything sprouts up.. use hand shears and snip it off.. and put a drip of RU on it ... i like to say.. pruning never killed anything.. and you are a prime example .... it takes a bit more than hope and prayer.. with most stuff ... i said leave a foot or two ... so once its dead ... you can start digging it all out ... and often.. the leverage of the 2 feet.. allows you to move the stump around.. to find out where the next large roots is ... a sawzall with a tree blade.. works wonders ... though it is tricky to use in soil ... it once took me 3 years... to kill a very large underground poison ivy vine ... if you start in spring.. these should be dead by fall ... the point being.. just stay after them ... i use a LOT of RU ... nothing ever died to root interaction ... simply a non-issue..IMHO it is definitely NOT a diluted spray thing ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: link
...See More
Dead holly bush: any theories?
Q
Comments (8)
It was awhile ago but I am almost sure it gave new growth on the branches not just from the base. I like to experiment in the garden and I am not so concerned how things look to other people. When people ask me about their dead looking plants I suggest that they wait to be sure it won't recover. Upon rereading your post it look likes it died over the winter. If it didn't leaf out over the spring/summer then I am sure it is dead! But if there is one plant that just lost its leaves, I would wait to see if it grows leaves next spring and not prune it now. I wish I could tell you what is wrong but I don't know...It is always sad when a plant that is part of a set dies. You may want to consider replacing the dead ones with shrubs of a different kind or leaving the spaces so that the existing hollies have more airflow and room to grow. Best Wishes, Kim
...See More
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
No. You have to kill the root system. Much like vinegar, torching only kills off the foliage or top growth.
Robert Raczkowski
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I just hate herbicides and try to avoid them.. But there are times they are needed.. Lately here when it rains we get 2-4" at a time so I worry about runoff. Wish my neighbor had delt with the issue on his side before putting up a fence against mine.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
As long as the applied substance has time to dry before any rainfall, there is no run-off. And with direct application - as opposed to broadcast spraying - there is really no concern about the product leaching into groundwater, either. In fact in most cases, if the product does get into the soil, it tends to be bound by soil chemistry until it is broken down into harmless chemical elements by the soil microbiology. The drift from spraying is the biggest concern. And over-application :-)

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Plants That Beat Butterfly Bush for the Wildlife Draw

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. Check out these better alternatives to butterfly bush in the garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Northern Bush Honeysuckle, a Bronze Beauty

It helps control erosion and takes sun or shade. The butterflies love it. But the best part of this shrub may be the vivid foliage

GARDENING GUIDES 9 Holly and Ivy Plants for Good Tidings in the Garden

Spread Christmas joy all year round with the gorgeous foliage and bright berries of these evergreen plants

CONTAINER GARDENS Patio-Perfect Berry Bushes Like You’ve Never Seen

Small enough for pots but offering abundant fruit, these remarkable bred berries are a boon for gardeners short on space

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Tour: Off-the-Grid Island Home Circles a Sunny Courtyard

By Mitchell Parker

A circular home is a cozy spot for gardening, woodworking and plenty of reading

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: A Texas Home Goes Big for the Kids

By Sarah Greenman

Part-time homeschoolers go all out to design a home focused on family, imagination and fun

GARDENING GUIDES Let Lilac Love Flower This Spring

By Alison Hodgson

Whatever you bestow or receive for Mother's Day, lilacs can be an unmatched gift in the garden in May

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Invaluable Lessons From a Landscape Architect

By Marissa Hermanson

Find out how to give your home the curb appeal it deserves with these helpful pro tips

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Winterberry Rouses Frosty Gardens

By Paintbox Garden

Energize dormant winter landscapes with this shrub's brilliant berries — and do right by hungry birds too

MOST POPULAR Houzz Tour: Elbow Grease and Steel Create a Modern Texas Farmhouse

By Mitchell Parker

Talk about DIY. This couple acted as architect, interior designer and general contractor to build a one-of-a-kind home on a budget

Sponsored

Kuhns Contracting, Inc.

26 Reviews

Central Ohio's Trusted Home Remodeler Specializing in Kitchens & Baths

More Discussions

Is it time to apply Preen to lawn in Baltimore?

1