06-26-2001 Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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What do you do to buckthorn stumps after cutting so they do not resprout? There are several ways to be certain to kill the root system of the buckthorn once it is removed. There are both mechanical and chemical options. They are.- Mechanical methods: 1. If you have a large hedge, you may want to hire a tree service to stump grind out the stumps and some of the upper roots. I would recommend you contact 3 tree services for estimates. Look in the yellow pages under tree services and make certain the firms are licensed, bonded, insured and certified professional arborists. 2. Another mechanical method involves your participation over the next 1-2 years. Next spring when sprouts emerge from the cut buckthorn stumps, get out once a week and prune (or mow) off all the sprouts. This needs to be done on a weekly basis until the stumps fail to produce sprouts. What is happening is that the roots are using their starch reserves to produce new shoots. If they cannot leaf out and produce leaves to make new food to support the roots, eventually the starch supply is exhausted and the roots die. This may take more than one year of weekly pruning to accomplish this task. If you fail to do this on a weekly basis throughout the growing season, your buckthorn will return with a vengeance! 3. Tin can method: For this method to work, you must cut the buckthorn down in a specific way. Instead . of cutting the buckthorn as close to the ground as possible, leave at least 2-3 inches of stem above ground. Then, find empty tin cans that will fit over the entire remaining stump with enough height so that the tin can reaches the ground level and can be pushed into the soil slightly. Then take nails and and hammer the nails through the can into the stem-stump. These cans must remain in place for at least one growing season, possibly two. What the cans do is to prevent light from reaching any of the shoots as they emerge from the stumps. Basically it accomplishes the same thing as item 2, except that you don't have to weekly remove the shoots. However it is very important that the can completely cover the stump and that it is securely nailed to the stump. Simply placing the can over the stump will not accomplish anything. The shoots are very strong and they will push the can off the stump. Chemical methods: It is very important that when using a chemical method that the chemical be applied within 24 hours of cutting the stumps. Otherwise, your efforts are wasted and the buckthorn will resprout with Medusa-like shoots and energy next spring. Here are your two chemical options: 1. Pickup Ortho Brush B Gon at your hardware or local garden center. Follow the label directions and apply to the cut surface and any remaining woody above ground portions of the buckthorn. 2- Option two is available from me. but only on certain days. As part of this roundup effort. we have purchased another herbicide-Roundup, to treat buckthorn stumps. I hold a non-commercial state of Minnesota current pesticide applicator license. If you want me to treat your buckthorn stumps, leave me a phone message at xxx-xxxx as to when you plan to cut your buckthorn. I can come out in the evening hours and on weekends to treat your stumps. They must be treated within 24-48 hours of cutting to be effective. There is no charge for this treatment, it is part of our neighborhood effort.