How Can I Kill a Tree?

Though it is usually frowned upon by society, there are actually some legitimate times when you may need to kill a tree. If you have an invasive species of tree that is unwanted or threatening another species of tree, you may need to kill it. Trees that are already infected with disease or are heavily damaged from insects may need to be killed. In some cases, a standing dead tree can offer several types of wildlife additional perches or dens. Check your local laws before attempting to kill any trees.

Chainsaw, axe or hatchet
Sprayer
Herbicide

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a notch into the tree with an axe, hatchet or chainsaw. The notch should be several feet off of the ground and should be 1/2 to 1 inch deep for small trees and 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep for larger trees. The notch should be about 4 inches in length, and all of the bark should be removed.
- 2
  Continue making connecting notches around the entire diameter of the tree trunk. When you are finished, the notches should look like one large continuous ring around the tree. The notches help kill the tree by interfering with flow of sap between the roots and the very top, or crown of the tree.
- 3
  Fill a spray bottle or backpack sprayer with a forestry herbicide. (Use an herbicide with an ester formulation of 2,4-D + 2,4-D, or simply labeled for trees.)
- 4
  Spray the cut or notched ring of the tree with the herbicide. The herbicide will be absorbed into the tree, and will be distributed to all areas of the tree. Spray the notches until they are completely saturated.
- 5
  Continue spraying to the ring of notches each day for several days. This will lessen the time it takes to kill the tree by forcing more herbicide inside.

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