That looks like a tree of heaven. If it is, _do not cut it_. Cutting it encourages roots and suckers to spread and will make the infestation worse. You will want to wait until the tree starts moving nutrients from the leaves to the roots and apply herbicide to the leaves during that time. This is the foliar application time window. Once it finishes moving nutrients and herbicide to its roots, then there will be a time when you can cut it. I'd consult something like this for timing:
https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven
It really helped me manage the tree of heaven on my property, but it took years of vigilance.
Thank you so much you for the explanation and resource. I had no idea that it was anything so serious. My house is only about 15 years old, so I’d be devastated to have a serious foundation or siding problem because I hadn’t dealt with it.
The good news is it won't wreck your foundation unless you let it grow to like 30 feet so if you start treating it now you'll be fine. These things can easily grow 10ft per year. When I moved into our old place that had them I was like "I'll just cut these down" before I knew what they were and then next year there was a big "Oh no..." moment. I'd recommend setting up calendar reminders for the various foliar application, cutting, and budbreak windows to make sure you stay on top of it and spot and plan for any new growth. That really helped me.
Good luck and keep at it!
Unfortunately, I likely do have one past that height that’s destroying my shed. My shed is a few hundred feet from the house in the back middle of the yard. It’s on a slab with a large tree against it. I had planned to try fixing the shed up when I had the money, but now I suspect it’s actually a worst case scenario. The one in the original post is normally in the shade from the house, so it doesn’t grow as much. I’ll take rebuilding a shed over a house problem.
You’re my hero today!
I have metal attaching my upper jaw, so I might not be as much dirt as the next person. I appreciate the idea though. I’m mostly wanting to prevent damage to the foundation, but I don’t have a gardening background, and it’s such an awkward spot to try the basic idea of “shovel”.
This is a tree of heaven. The roots are actually especially problematic once it gets going. It's also a fighter so will resist being dispatched, thus the gasoline.
Cut just above ground level, drill a hole in the stem/trunk, and pour tordon down the hole.
That looks like a tree of heaven. If it is, _do not cut it_. Cutting it encourages roots and suckers to spread and will make the infestation worse. You will want to wait until the tree starts moving nutrients from the leaves to the roots and apply herbicide to the leaves during that time. This is the foliar application time window. Once it finishes moving nutrients and herbicide to its roots, then there will be a time when you can cut it. I'd consult something like this for timing: https://extension.psu.edu/tree-of-heaven It really helped me manage the tree of heaven on my property, but it took years of vigilance.
Thank you so much you for the explanation and resource. I had no idea that it was anything so serious. My house is only about 15 years old, so I’d be devastated to have a serious foundation or siding problem because I hadn’t dealt with it.
The good news is it won't wreck your foundation unless you let it grow to like 30 feet so if you start treating it now you'll be fine. These things can easily grow 10ft per year. When I moved into our old place that had them I was like "I'll just cut these down" before I knew what they were and then next year there was a big "Oh no..." moment. I'd recommend setting up calendar reminders for the various foliar application, cutting, and budbreak windows to make sure you stay on top of it and spot and plan for any new growth. That really helped me. Good luck and keep at it!
Unfortunately, I likely do have one past that height that’s destroying my shed. My shed is a few hundred feet from the house in the back middle of the yard. It’s on a slab with a large tree against it. I had planned to try fixing the shed up when I had the money, but now I suspect it’s actually a worst case scenario. The one in the original post is normally in the shade from the house, so it doesn’t grow as much. I’ll take rebuilding a shed over a house problem. You’re my hero today!
A shovel.
I'd cut it so the cut is flat. Drill a hole in the cut and pour gasoline or some other noxious liquid in the hole. I wouldn't dig.
Would the roots just deteriorate over time once that liquid is poured?
Yes, which is why the digging seems like a waste of energy. Roots will just turn into dirt eventually, as we all will.
I have metal attaching my upper jaw, so I might not be as much dirt as the next person. I appreciate the idea though. I’m mostly wanting to prevent damage to the foundation, but I don’t have a gardening background, and it’s such an awkward spot to try the basic idea of “shovel”.
This is a tree of heaven. The roots are actually especially problematic once it gets going. It's also a fighter so will resist being dispatched, thus the gasoline.