Have you ever felt that your lawn could have been even better if not for that one thing that’s blocking the view? Do you feel sad seeing your dying pine tree knowing that they could potentially damage your garden? Is the number of pine trees in your getting out of hand? If so, you came to the right place!
A forest with wild pine trees
We all know that killing a pine tree can get a bit intimidating, but when the situation calls for it, then we are left with no other choice but to do so. “How to kill a pine tree?” is a question that I’m pretty sure a few of you are ashamed to bring up or ask.
However, some pine trees would sometimes grow unwantedly in your area like weeds. It could also be that your pine tree is dying and the best option to choose is killing it. These are some reasons why a few people have been asking me how to kill a pine tree. Thus, I am sharing this with you as your guide in case you’re having the same problem.
A dying pine tree in an open field
2 Effective Ways To Get Rid Of Pine Trees
So how to kill a pine tree, you ask? There are a number of ways to kill a pine tree, and no you don’t have to ask for help from a professional to do the job. However, you might need someone’s assistance if you’re unable to do some of the steps.
1. Drill And Fill Method
Now allow me to share with you what I think is the most effective way on how to kill a pine tree fast. To make this possible, though, you will need some tools and some items that will help you through the process.
You need a drill to get rid of pine trees
- Drill
- Waterproof gloves
- Mask is highly advised if you’re very sensitive to chemicals smell
- A squeeze bottle with a cylindrical tip
- Containers for mixing your chemical or your concentrated herbicide – If you chose a chemical that needs to be mixed with water first
- Clean water – only used for powdered chemicals
- Mixing paddle
Here’s a video that would give you an idea on how to prepare for the drill and fill method.
Preparation
Before going through the drilling, you will have to prepare first your herbicide mixture/liquid. Make sure that you are wearing your waterproof gloves and mask (if needed) for protection. Most people who do this process use a Round Up (active ingredient glyphosate). If you use a liquid glyphosate, then you can directly pour that into your squeeze bottle. Another good choice would be metsulfuron. This is widely used in the United Kingdom, and it can kill a pine tree much faster. You can also try imazapyr which is highly recommended by the University of Florida for pine plantation management. It is a very effective chemical alone and would also work great when mixed with glyphosate.
The product Round Up is an active ingredient glyphosate
Drill And Fill Method
The “drill and fill” method is my answer if you’re going to ask me, “How to kill a pine tree?” One reason why I believe this is the most effective and fastest way is you are directly inserting the chemical in the tree’s system. In short, you’re directly poisoning the tree.
There are two ways to do this method. One method has the following steps:
- Directly puncture or drill holes on the pine tree’s roots. By doing this, you’re allowing the chemicals to be absorbed by the pine tree much faster.
- Fill the hole with the chemical of your choice. The chemical should be a concentrated herbicide.
- Lastly, spray the mixture on the pine tree’s leaves and make sure that they’re fully coated.
Pine trees have needle-like leaves that can survive harsh weather
The other “drill and fill” method to effectively kill a pine tree follows the steps below:
- Drill holes around the trunk. Make sure that you are drilling it at a slight slant manner or at around a 45-degree angle to make sure that the herbicide doesn’t leak out. Drill as deep as possible and make sure that you drilled beyond the pine tree’s cambium layer.
- Fill the hole with the concentrated herbicide.
- Lastly, spray the mixture on the leaves. Make sure that the leaves are fully coated.
I highly suggest that you do this on a fine weather where there’s not much wind to avoid spraying the chemicals on other plants.
2. Girdling
So is there another way to kill a pine tree? Yes, there is. As I have initially mentioned, there are a number of ways to kill pine tree. So, if you ask me again how to kill a pine tree and if there is another way to do so without using chemicals, then let me share this other method – Girdling.
Girdled pine trees in Southern Georgia
What Is Girdling?
This is a great example of a girdled tree. Via: Flickr.com
Girdling, which is also called ring-barking, is removing a strip of bark around the trunk. By removing the outer bark and the cambium, you are disrupting the connection or the transfer of nutrients between the roots and the leaves allowing the tree to die slowly. A girdled tree would take some time before it dies.
What You Would Need
- Saw
- Ax or chisel
- Tape to mark the girdled tree
Girdling Process
- Use a saw to puncture the tree and mark the area where you’re going to remove the outer bark and the pine tree’s cambium. Create the mark around the circumference of the pine tree. Do the process twice like making two rings around the tree’s trunk.
- Completely remove the barks in between the marks you created through your ax or chisel. Make sure that you have removed the outer bark and the inner bark.
- Mark the tree using a tape to at least warn the people. Accidents may occur so reminders would really come in handy.
A man and a woman girdling trees. Via: Flickr.com
Weigh Things Through
Killing a good tree really is a shame; however, situations like this can’t be avoided. I’ve had my fair share of these experiences. Trust me; it was very hard for me to come up to a decision. I am sure you feel the same way. Think of the benefits and the risks first before you finally decide on killing your pine tree. If the pine tree is only bringing you more harm than good and is something that you already consider a nuisance or hazardous, then I suggest you go for it.
I do hope that these steps on how to kill a pine tree helped you and gave you an idea which method you wish to follow. If you find this very helpful, please do share this article!
Do you use other methods or steps on how to kill a pine tree? Did this list work for you? I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
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