Killing roots DEAD

titewad_2

I've spent the past several weekends cutting down and trimming back bushes and trees,and in some instances digging the roots out.I noticed yesterday that some of the roots I dug out a few weeks back have started sproutng and are growing again.And this is during the current very dry period.I'm no gardener so I can't tell you what exactly these trees and bushes are other than to say they are very hardy.I have no desire to keep digging the same things out every few months,so is there anything I can put down to absolutely kill all plant life off in these areas.I need it to be absolutely dead so that in the future I can either lay it to lawn or brick pave it,(future finances will dictate which)

skintchick

For some reason, I want to say bleach!!! But there's probably something else more gardenery.

titewad_2

Sounds like you are as gardening proficient as me

skintchick

LOL! Actually I am a good gardener and can make pretty much anything grow, but I honestly do think I've read that bleach will kill difficult things...honest.


Edit: http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060705132059AAZIOeK

See! I knew I was right!

titewad_2

I honestly thought you were joking..I just checked the link you posted but I think the eyedropper into holes in each root is far too labour intensive and time consuming given the amount of them there are and the hours I'm already spending on them.I'm after something I can just pour or spray if possible.Thanks anyway and I'll remember it for any future smaller jobs

GUMPO

If you are going to want to use the land to grow on again you need to use something like "Roundup" which kills the roots then decays leaving the ground useable. Farmers spray their fields with tons of the stuff before they plant and if you have a local farm and ask nicely they will probably give you a couple of gallon for next to nothing (It is expensive in B n Q).

Dora_the_Explorer_5

SBK brushwood killer should do it.

lynsiloo

yep i would say SBK brushwood killer it is about £6 for a smallish bottle, i know round-up is good but dont know if it is just on weeds, plus it can be expensive! probably best to take a walk down the weedkiller isle in a garden centre and have a look.

FirstClassMale

The correct way to kill a tree root is to use Sodium Chlorate weedkiller chrystals.

First drill holes into the root, best to use a flat bit or holesaw to make a pocket.

Pour some crystals (straight out of the container. Do not add water) into the holes and seal each hole with putty, "Plumber's mate" is the stuff I have used.

The way it works is that the moisture in the root draws the neat chemical into its system and very quickly kills it.

This was taught to me when I worked in forestry and, although in today's conservation culture, is probably not used by FC anymore, It was common practice for those roots that could not be fully extracted.

FirstClassMale

Sorry, just re-read your post. Pouring something onto them? petrol and diesel mixed together! The Diesel sticks like bleach to your toilet bowl and the petrol burns fiercly enough to light the diesel. As an alternative to the diesel, use old engine oil or you could try chip fat or high VOC paint although I haven't used it myself.

It's amazing how many things can be homemade. You will be using something similar to............ NAPALM. I dont need to tell you the effectiveness of that.

tawnyowls

There is a product called Root-Out, which I think is ammonium sulphate - that works very well.