How to Kill a Bush That Keeps Growing Back

Although many gardeners joke that they can kill anything, sometimes the plant they want to get rid of the most is the one that just won’t die. Woody bushes and shrubs are commonly difficult to kill due to the thickness of the bark on the stem and the extensive underground root systems. If you have tried and failed to get rid of a bush once, it’s time to consider using chemicals to get the job done.

Protective eyewear
Gloves
Hand saw or chain saw
Herbicide containing trichlopyr or glyphosate
Disposable cup
Paint brush
Black plastic (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Put on safety gear before mixing the chemicals. At the very least, protective eyewear and gloves are required. You may also want to wear old clothing.
- 2
  Cut the bush off 6 to 12 inches above the ground using a hand saw. Make the cut straight across. If the shrub is thick or has multiple stems, a chainsaw will make the job go faster.
- 3
  Open a bottle of herbicide that contains the active ingredient trichlopyr or glyphosate. Pour the herbicide into a disposable cup and dilute it with water to create a 20 percent solution.
- 4
  Insert a paint brush into the cup and saturate the bristles with the herbicide. Paint the herbicide on the cut portion of the bush stump thoroughly until it is soaked. Don’t worry about applying it to the surrounding bark, since the cut portion will transport the chemical to the roots of the bush.
- 5
  Monitor the bush stump daily for signs of new growth, which will look like green buds or shoots near the base. If new growth appears, repeat the entire herbicide application process.

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