How to Kill Yuccas

Cut off the side branches of the yucca with pruning shears, a machete, or a handsaw. Use a handsaw to cut through the remaining stump of the yucca 1 foot from the ground. Remove the stump.

Purchase tree stump remover herbicide at your local home service center, nursery, or garden supply store. Apply the herbicide according to the manufacturer's directions to the yucca trunk.

With your drill at a 45-degree downward angle, drill a ring of 2-inch-deep holes around the base of the yucca stump. Fill the holes with the stump remover herbicide. Saturating the yucca stump will help the herbicide flow down to the root system and kill it.

Wait two weeks to see if the yucca plant grows any new shoots. If new shoots appear, allow them to grow to approximately 1 foot.

Combine 8 parts glyphosate liquid herbicide with 2 parts diesel fuel in a bucket. Pour the solution over every new shoot of the yucca plant. Repeat the process daily until all the new shoots have died.