Question From:
Beth in Curtin, ACT Australian Capital Territory
Nature of problem:
Robinia tree, time to remove it, too close to house, lifting deck. QUESTION: to avoid suckers, do we poison tree before removal or poison stump afterwards?
Type of Plant (if known):
10 metre Robinia, Chinese lantern tree, thorny
Symptoms of Plant Illness (please try NOT to diagnose your problems yourself):
Na
Soil Type (e.g. sandy, clay or loam) OR Potting Mix Type:
Na
How often do you water the plant:
Na
How many hours of sunlight does the plant get each day:
Na
How long since you planted it:
15 years
Have you fertilised? If so, with what and when:
Na
Is the plant indoors or outdoors:
Out
Is the plant in a pot or in the ground:
Ground
What other treatments have you given the plant:
Nil
Upload photo if available:
Other Comments:
Want to know how best to avoid a yard full of thorny suckers. Thanks
Answer:
Hi Beth, A Robinia suckering is a nightmare. You must poison it carefully. You need to enlist the plant to pump the poison throughout its entire framework. So do it now while its leaves are still active (doing this in October would be even better). Chop around the trunk with an axe to scallop out the bark. Then paint neat Roundup all over the cut surfaces. It takes 3-5 weeks to work. If it fails to work, do it again in October. Good luck, Don.
