How to Kill Plantain Trees

A gardener may enjoy having one or two plantain trees in the yard. However, faced with a large overgrown stand of neglected plants, the best strategy is sometimes to dig and set a few young pups aside and kill the rest. There are several ways to achieve the goal of clearing large stands of plantains, both natural and chemical. Natural methods are desirable if you are going to replant in the same location.

Shovel
Backhoe (optional)
Chain saw
Mower
Copper sulfate
Brush killer
Protective gear and clothing

Instructions

- 1
  Dig the plants up and dispose of them. Use machinery, if possible, for large stands of trees. Start at the edges and work toward the middle. Compost older plants, which have a high phosphorous content.
- 2
  Cut plantains down to ground level with chain saws, and keep them mowed, which will eventually cause the roots to die from lack of food. Spreading salt over the stumps will speed the process, but may damage nearby plants.
- 3
  Flood the area to promote root rot and kill the plants. Leave irrigation on 24 hours a day for long enough to flood the soil, or dig a wide moat around the plants and keep it filled with water.
- 4
  Sprinkle copper sulfate around and into the stand of trees and water it in thoroughly every day for a week. This will also kill or damage any plants whose roots reach into the area, and should only be used if there are no desirable plants nearby.
- 5
  Cut the mother plants down to a foot high and pour a chemical brush killer into the stump. This kills the plants and any pups attached to the plant.

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