Question From:
Melanie Howard in Gosnells, Gosnells WA
Nature of problem:
Ailanthus altissima/Tree of heaven Next door have loads of them in the backyard and they are getting into my pipes and I am lost for what I can do because they just keep spreading and popping up everywhere in my yard 🙁
Type of Plant (if known):
Ailanthus altissima
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
Not an illness
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
Sandy
How often do you water the plant:
I don’t
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
As much as it wants
What type of plant is it:
Ailanthus altissima
How long since you planted it:
I didn’t it’s next door and moving into my yard.
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
no
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
outdoor but slowly invading my pipes
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
Blackberry killer, for the ones popping up in my yard, but it’s not getting rid of them they just keep coming
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
Helpppppppppppppppppppppppppppp!!!! I don’t even know what to do, next door is a rental and the property manager is the tenant and won’t pass on details to the owner/owner won’t do anything about it.
Answer: Hi Melanie, Ailanthus is a very persistent and rapidly spreading weed tree. It is not easy to control. Obviously, pull out all seedlings that appear. I suggest fertilising any plants with any cheap fertiliser, and then wait for new growth to appear. Then spray with either Roundup Fast Acting or Zero Rapid. You might also try chopping into the bark of any larger plants and spraying these products onto the wounds. If you can find any root control tablets (IE Copper sulfate tablets), you might flush some down your toilet. If the roots are getting into your pipes, then there is a pre-existing problem with your pipes and you may need to get a plumber to look at them. Good luck, Don.
