How to Kill a Tree: 7 Different Methods

Reviewed by Andrew HughesReviewed by Andrew Hughes

There could be various reasons why you may need to know how to kill a tree in your yard. The tree could be threatening your foundation, blocking a walkway, or impeding electric lines. In other cases, the tree might be damaged or just doesn't fit in your landscape.

Digging or pulling up seedlings or saplings is one way to kill and remove young trees. Hiring a professional tree service is always a smart option with a large, mature tree adjacent to structures like fencing, buildings, or electric wires.

Here are seven ways to tackle a tree removal project on your own.

Warning

Methods for killing a tree often include using a backpack, pump, or hand sprayer to apply herbicides formulated for woody plants. Always follow label instructions and practice cautionary recommendations including wearing eye and skin protection.

How to Kill a Tree

Dig It Out

Weedy trees tend to pop up in flowerbeds, under hedges, and in gardens with plants that attract pollinators and other wildlife. They produce seeds carried by birds, rodents, and insects that root in and are usually easy to pull or dig out when discovered early.

If the young tree is sapling size (up to 5 inches in diameter) be sure to dig out the tap root. If you run into a tough root system you can try watering to loosen the roots or cut and spot treat them with an herbicide formulated for woody plants.

Cut It Down

Trees larger than saplings can be cut down. Use a pruning saw or chainsaw to begin removing branches at the bottom, working to the top of the tree until just the trunk remains. Allow clearance for the height of the tree, and cut the trunk close to ground level. A guide rope can be attached to the upper portion of the trunk to control the direction of the fall. Immediately spray the stump with herbicide to prevent sprouting and accelerate decomposition.

Cutting the tree down is ultimately the safest option in the long term. A dead tree that is still standing is hazardous to your property.

Girdle the Trunk

Girdling is the practice of removing layers of growth in rings around the circumference of the unwanted tree. This method doesn't require the use of chemical herbicides but it typically takes up to five years for the tree to die and fall.

All trees have layers of growth that serve different functions. They are the xylem or heartwood, cambium, phloem, and bark. For girdling to be effective, the three outer layers should be removed down to the xylem.

Use a chainsaw, axe or hatchet to cut two rings around the trunk about 6 inches apart. The cuts should be 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches deep depending on tree size and located beneath the lowest branches. Scrub the exposed xylem first with soapy water and then with rubbing alcohol. Alternatively, applying herbicide to the xylem will yield quicker results

Frilling

Frilling, like girdling, is a method of cutting into layers of wood around the circumference of the trunk. Adjoining or overlapping cuts are angled downward with the cut material left attached at the bottom. Achieving the desired result with both frilling and girdling depends on the species and age of the tree.

Frilling cuts can heal over more quickly which makes girdling the preferred method. Using an axe or hatchet, it also is time consuming and labor intensive. Without the use of herbicide, frilling is a natural, but long-term approach to killing a tree.

Basal Bark Spray

Basal bark spray is recommended for sapling sized trees with trunks no larger than 4 to 6 inches in diameter. The lower 12 to 18 inches of the trunk is sprayed with an oil-based herbicide formulated to penetrate the bark and kill the tree along with any developing basal buds. The product is usually applied using a backpack unit or pressurized hand-held sprayer.

Care should be taken to prevent ground saturation through run-off and overspray which can damage adjacent woody plants and tree roots. Herbicide uptake can be a slow process depending on species, so don't cut down the tree until six months after basal bark application.

Use Herbicide on Foliage

To kill a tree using an herbicide on the foliage, look for one that is made of glyphosate, which is an easy-to-use and effective herbicide that will kill the tree through its leaves. The leaves will take in the chemical and, eventually, it will kill the entire tree. It should be sprayed onto the leaves while the tree is well-watered.

The leaves will be the first to show signs of damage, and, assuming the tree is small enough, eventually, the entire tree will die. However, this generally isn't effective on larger trees.

Warning

Because herbicides are extremely effective at killing plants, be careful where you spray it. You may unintentionally kill other nearby plants, including bushes and flowers, in the process.

Use Soil Treatment on Roots

The roots are the most critical part of the tree, so using a method that goes straight to the roots to try to kill a tree is generally efficient and effective. Look for a soil treatment designed specifically for use in soil and apply it according to the instructions, which generally means drilling holes in the soil around the tree and pouring the soil treatment into those holes. It may take two weeks to begin to see results.

When you apply the soil treatment, be careful to apply it directly to the area surrounding the tree. If there are surrounding plants with root systems that overlap with the tree, those plants could be affected as well. For that reason, it's best to use this method on a tree where you can see exactly where the roots are growing above ground.

How to Kill a Tree Stump

The tree stump is the most stubborn part of removing a tree. If not killed correctly, the tree can come back. However, there are methods to kill a tree stump, including grinding the tree stump or adding herbicide to cuts in the stump.

Salt the Stump

To prepare a stump for salting, drill holes or make downward cuts on the surface with a garden tool like a hatchet. Then, use Epsom salt to fill the holes. Wet the salt once it is in the holes, then sprinkle an additional ring of Epsom salt around the base. Cover the base and the holes with a tarp to seal it in.

Be careful not to get Epsom salt on nearby plants or grass since this will also kill those plants.

Grind the Stump

You can also remove a tree stump by grinding it. This often means renting a grinder or hiring someone to grind the stump for you. Generally, it will run approximately $100-400 to grind a stump.

Add Herbicide to the Stump

You can also apply a herbicide such as glyphosate or triclopyr to the stump. First, make cuts on the stump or drill holes to make sure that the herbicide can penetrate the stump and kill it. Applying a tarp to the stump will not hurt the process, though it is not necessary.

Do Copper Nails Kill Trees?

Popular knowledge suggests it is possible to use copper nails to kill a tree, but it's tricky and there are better, more effective methods. You need to drive many nails all the way around the tree trunk with 1/2 inch spacing between each one. It would be so many nails that you would essentially girdle the tree.

The other methods discussed are more effective in killing both young and mature trees.

What to Do After Killing a Tree

After you've successfully killed a tree, remove any remaining debris before filling the hole with topsoil and possibly growing something new.

First, it's critical to remove the leftover roots. This task can be completed with a shovel, though you may also need an axe to break up stubborn, thicker roots. Use a shovel to get rid of broken up roots as well as the remaining wood and wood chips from the removal process.

This will probably leave a significant hole in the ground. Fill the hole with topsoil, and then if you are confident that the tree is gone, you can seed grass on top. If you are concerned that there might be life in some roots left behind, mulch over the area to prevent regrowth.

Besides grass or mulch, you could also plant a new tree, or you could start an in-ground garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kills trees quickly?

It depends quite a bit on the size and species of the tree. Seedlings and saplings can be killed by pulling, digging, and herbicides. Injecting herbicide kills larger trees faster than natural methods.

What will naturally kill a tree?

Repeatedly spraying a seedling with undiluted vinegar or girdling or frilling a larger tree will naturally kill the tree.

Can you use foliar spray to kill a tree?

Foliar spray is not particularly effective when it comes to killing trees. It's very easy to contaminate other nearby trees by accident. It is better to use a hack and squirt method where you chop or cut into the bark and cambium layer, then spray triclopyr or a similar herbicide into the wound. It takes less product, is more effective, and is less likely to contaminate other trees and plants.

Will bleach kill a tree?

Bleach will not kill trees and will be detrimental to your soil composition and surrounding wildlife. Undiluted vinegar is a safer and more effective option.

Read the original article on The Spruce.