Problem - tree seedlings infesting my lawn - huge roots

bells_on_it

Hi, I've got a bit of a problem I think? My neighbour cut down her tree, i'm not sure what the tree was but its seeded all over my lawn. I started to pull some out and there are huge roots from them. So pulling these out is causing massive damage to my lawn. I do'nt know what to do?
My neighbour said she was told that if you keep cutting the seedlings they will eventually die but with roots like this i'm not so convinced.
Does anyone have any advice????

:eek::eek:

alm721

I think it may depend what the tree was, but it it has an extensive root system then it will probably keep suckering until the root is killed off. Can she kill off the stump with some stump killer which will travel down to the roots? Any chance of finding out what tree it was?

Mojisola

hellmcc wrote: »

Hi, I've got a bit of a problem I think? My neighbour cut down her tree, i'm not sure what the tree was but its seeded all over my lawn. I started to pull some out and there are huge roots from them. So pulling these out is causing massive damage to my lawn. I do'nt know what to do?
My neighbour said she was told that if you keep cutting the seedlings they will eventually die but with roots like this i'm not so convinced.
Does anyone have any advice????

Have I got it right that these are seedlings you are pulling up? If so, if you mow more often you should prevent the problem because you'll cut the seedlings off before they can grow to any size. It will be a nuisance for a while but very frequent mowing will get rid of them.

If you've got some that are already too big for that you can paint the leaves with glyphosate. Be careful not to let it drop on the grass. You could always put something over the grass to protect it while the weedkiller dries on the leaves.

As their appearance is tied in with the tree being cut down, what you're getting could be suckers from the old roots. In that case, go straight for the glyphosate.

bells_on_it

Thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure its from her tree as these shoots never existed until this year. I noticed she had some in her garden and mentioned it to her innocently as i'd never seen them before and she was really apologetic - she told me they were seedlings from her tree otherwise i'd have no clue. She said her friend had said if they are kept mowed they'll eventually go???? I tried pulling them out today and thats how i discovered this whole root system it was like chasing wire and the shoots were definitely coming off roots at least 1 inch in diameter and over a metre long.

I dont know what is best to do, i feel like i ought to mention to her too as she's just put down a new patio which these roots could wreck??

I think the tree is out i can't see it - i'm sure she's got it out fully?

Should i just dig them all out???

I appreciate your help

_pale_ :eek:

westiea

Hi

Sounds like they could be 'runners' off the original tree - hence the huge roots. If she has chopped the tree down I would suggest to her she needs to kill the stump as obviously it is still alive. Deep Root Tree Stump Killer is great (google is your friend!)

As for the ones that are rooting in your garden I would suggest that you treat them as Mojisola suggested.