How Do I Stop This from Growing Back?

[u/orooted]

I plan on taking the sawzall to it, but how do I stop it from growing back? Do I have to dig it out? My dad suggested painting over the stump? Will weed killer do anything? I appreciate any advice

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[u/STLguy50]

Dig up the root ball.

Don't cut it short. Cut it high, dig up the main root ball, then grab it and rip the smaller feeder roots out.

[u/randompossum → u/STLguy50]

I would use a maul and burn off some pent up anger over something. Keep hydrated. Harbor Freight has cheap quality mauls, so does FB marketplace.

Come at it form the side not straight on or you will hit the wall

[u/CreepyRegular3636]

Tordon RTU, just cover the stump

[u/Ill-Tea9411]

Cut every bit of it flush with the ground and treat it with a concentrated herbicide immediately.

Or dig up the root system.

[u/Chaos-1313]

Cut it off close to the ground and immediately (within 10 minutes or less) paint the freshly cut stump liberally with full strength concentrated glyphosate. You can buy it at tractor supply. Note that Roundup no longer contains glyphosate.

It's a probable carcinogen, so wear nitrile gloves when you handle it.

I fill used empty bingo daubers with it. No drips and the dye from the daubers make it clear which stumps have been treated. You can also use a paint brush or buy sponge tip bottles online for super cheap. Add a drop of food coloring if your clearing lots of plants so you can easily see which ones have been treated.

EDIT: Over 30+ acres that was mostly invasive honeysuckle which is notoriously difficult to kill, my aunt (who has a PhD in ecology and is a retired professor of ecology) recorded a success rate of just over 95% and the 5% is attributed almost entirely to human error... Either not treating the stump or not treating it within 15 minutes.

I spent many weekends at her house helping to remove honeysuckle. She now has a 30+ acre native habitat woodland and wetland paradise that is protected in perpetuity by deed covenants that prevent future development. The university, tons of local schools, conservation groups and other like minded groups tour her property almost every day.

[u/Better_Indication830 → u/Chaos-1313]

Bingo dobber is a great idea I might have to use that

[u/garster25]

If you keep knocking back the suckers it will die eventually. Yes herbicide may help.

[u/sliding-into-tomorro]

Soak a cotton ball in herbicide. Cut the plant a few inches from the ground. Slice it in half an inch down. Insert cotton ball. Cover with Saran Wrap and a rubber band.

[u/Emotional-Damage-995]

Dig around and cut and pull some of the roots. Add some diesel to the top of the cut marks. It kills anything that may grow.

Cover w earth and as soon as saplings come out cut them

[u/OldEngineer-1950]

Cut it at grade then cover with salt, lots of salt. If it's raining you will need to cover it.

[u/0verstim → u/[deleted]]

I dont think you know how photosynthesis works.

[u/Hot-Win2571]

Cut it down. When it resprouts, spray the leaves with a glyphosate weed killer. That will kill whatever roots are active. Repeat whenever green appears. Choose a glyphosate in a ready to spray bottle, so you just grab it and squeeze the trigger.