Killing/removing Locust saplings

[thatguy]

We took out a couple fence rows over the past couple years what were pretty much nothing but locust (cant remember whether black or honey) trees.. We have a bunch of trees and saplings that have sprouted up in the fence row and in the yard..

I just sprayed them with Crossbow and they have started dying within a day or so..

What should i do with the bigger saplings (at ground level they are maybe the size of a quarter) - a) let them die out and let them rot or b) let them die out and then pull them out using something like a 'brush grubber', or c) ?? suggestions?

thanks

b

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Locus trees will take a long time to decay, and the thorn decay will be measured in geologic time, not calendar years. We plan to burn the cut trees when the burn ban is lifted, but that may also be measured in geologic time.

 

[rekees4300]

What should i do with the bigger saplings (at ground level they are maybe the size of a quarter) - a) let them die out and let them rot or b) let them die out and then pull them out using something like a 'brush grubber', or c) ?? suggestions?

Depends on how many you have?

few = brush grubber or chainsaw or ax
lots = brushcutter
many = ratchet rack or backhoe or bulldozer

 

[thatguy]

Depends on how many you have?

few = brush grubber or chainsaw or ax
lots = brushcutter
many = ratchet rack or backhoe or bulldozer

VERY good point.. As of today (could be different within a week based on how fast they grow LOL) there are <20 that are big enough to even try to pull out..

brian

 

[whistlepig]

If they are Black Locust saplings will sprout from the roots and stumps of trees that have been cut down.

 

[Wattsleft]

Good luck ! We have several Locusts here and it seems 2 sprouts come up from every one you cut off. The bees love the things in the spring but I can't seem to stay away from them when I mow. I hate the thorns. We just try to keep cutting them off at the ground. Anyone got a real solution, I wanna know.......

 

[forgeblast]

sprout from stumps and the huge amount of seeds can drive you crazy. good luck

 

[RandyT]

Used to work as a utility forester in Indiana. Had an area under a power line that had black locust. I had the line crew come in and cut them down in a ladies back yard because she didn't want them there anyway. All the stumps were treated with tordon. Within about 3 weeks all of the roots sprouted from the nodes and I looked like grass growing. Had to retreat the sprouts 3 additional times with Garlon to get them under control.

 

[rekees4300]

VERY good point.. As of today (could be different within a week based on how fast they grow LOL) there are <20 that are big enough to even try to pull out..

brian

Okay with <20 I'd go the chainsaw route. Cut them flush with the ground then soak the stumps with your Crossbow or Roundup Pro. Best time would be in October.

 

[Bigfoot62]

Used to work as a utility forester in Indiana. Had an area under a power line that had black locust. I had the line crew come in and cut them down in a ladies back yard because she didn't want them there anyway. All the stumps were treated with tordon. Within about 3 weeks all of the roots sprouted from the nodes and I looked like grass growing. Had to retreat the sprouts 3 additional times with Garlon to get them under control.

For folks that can't buy restricted use herbicides, a buddy of mine gave me a recipe that works.
3 oz per gallon Glyphosate-N 41% (generic for Roundup Pro)
2 oz per gallon 2-4-D (just buy the quart bottles in the highest concentration that you can find)
1 oz per gallon Triclopyr-4E (generic for Remedy or Garlon)
Surfactant per label instructions. (helps chemical stick to the foliage)

DO NOT spray this anywhere you want plants to live!!! I only use this in fence-rows, etc, where I want a total kill of vegitation. It will kill even a pine tree or yaupon bush.

For those that don't know, the Glyphosate kills grass, 2-4-D is a broadleaf killer and the Triclopyr is for "woody" stem plants (trees, bushes, brush, etc). Combined, this mix will kill just about any vegitation. (except saw briars) Some plants will take more than one application, and two or three growing seasons to kill. (like your locust trees) You want to completely wet the foliage of the plant. That means, if the wind is blowing, you will need to wait for a calm day, or you will kill everything downwind of the fence row for a long distance.

BTW, funny thing about the 2-4-D is, you can buy a whole truck load of quart bottles without a herbicide card, but you can't buy a single gallon container. Go figure, more bureaucratic brilliance. (your tax dollars at work)