How to Get Rid of Fragrant Sumac

Fragrant sumac is a shrub-sized plant that matures to about two to four feet in height, branching out over about eight feet in circumference. Fragrant sumac can be mistaken for poison ivy, but is not poisonous. The plant, though, is invasive and can overtake your property rapidly. You need to use a combination of methods to get rid of fragrant sumac.

Eye protection
Rubber gloves
Dust mask
Axe
Saw or loppers
Shrub herbicide
Sprayer
Burlap or tarp
Rope

Instructions

- 1
  Put on eye protection and a dust mask. Cut the fragrant sumac at the trunk with an axe or a saw. Leave about one foot of the trunk exposed from out of the ground. Cut into the trunk with an axe or saw.
- 2
  Leave your eye protection and dust mask on and put on rubber gloves. Wear only rubber gloves as leather and cloth gloves will soak up the herbicide mist and get onto your skin. Spread shrub herbicide around the fragrant sumac's trunk and into cuts made in the trunk with a sprayer. Let the herbicide soak in according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- 3
  Cover the fragrant sumac's trunk in burlap or a tarp. Wrap a rope around the trunk to secure the burlap or tarp. This will rob the fragrant sumac of sunlight and rain water. Leave the trunk cover on for at least three to four weeks to kill the trunk and roots.
- 4
  Remove the burlap or tarp after the fragrant sumac's trunk dies and uproot it with a shovel. Dig around the trunk to expose the root system. Pull the dead trunk out of the ground and backfill the hole.

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