i have a few small trees growing in my hedge that i cant dig out because they are so close to the hedge I dont particarly want to use weed killer Last year i cut them down as low as possible under the ground in hope they may die. My hope wasnt enough because as expected they have regrown this year If i cut them during severe cold weather (if we get some) and leave them open to the elements could this kill them?
Nope. Or probably not. Summer pruning for shaping (keeping small) , winter pruning results in strong regrowth next season. If you repeatedly chop then you'll weaken the plant and eventually it might croak. Personally I'd just use weedkiller
Nope thats how they were before when i bought the house but the privet was struggling so i cut them down last year and have been working in making the privet denser and healthier. So far its going well so dont want to go backwards
The problem with that is they really arnt that big Most can be cut with seceteurs the odd one needs loppers But i really want to avoid using chemicals as well
It depends on what type of tree they are, whether continual cutting would get rid of them. For example, if they are ash trees you haven't got a hope in hell of getting rid of them by cutting them down. You need to get a total weedkiller. Even though the stumps are small you can do it safely if you take care. You drill a hole in the top, vertically, and make it at least 2" deep. Put the killer (be it in liquid form or crystals - crystals would need a little water poured on top) in the hole and then put some of the sawdust, or some mud, in the top of the hole. Putting something in the top stops any wildlife from accidentally ingesting the chemical. The chemical will spread to the roots and kill the tree. There is no danger to any surrounding plants. As your stumps are quite small you may not be able to get it to work in one go because of not getting enough chemical to be absorbed into the root system. So you may need to do it again next year. Even though it may be dying the tree may sprout some branches from the sides of the stump but it will take effect. Sodium Chlorate used to be the ideal chemical for this but it was banned some years ago - it can be used in bomb making! Trying to be chemical free is good but you are unlikely to get rid of the problem.
As already stated, cutting back during the cold wont work. If you really dont want to use chemical, then your best off hitting them when its hot and dry and then just keep at it. Personally, I avoid chemicals where possible, but sometime you just have to. I did some volunteer work for the RSPB a while back cutting back willow and Alder, they cut the plants back to about a foot and then use stump killer, applied with a paint brush.
So i will use chemicals if i have to its not about being totally chemical free. I don't like using chemicals because my cats are attracted to them and i cant watch them al the time but the main reason is because i cant handle them safely as i randomly throw stuff and drop stuff. So chemicals are a no unless I'm prepared to take the risk of killing loads of plants But i cant afford any at the mo I don't own a drill so it cant be done that way and i wouldnt be safe to use one So basically i can just cut them and keep them as short stumps then and keep on top of them that way
