A Despicable Family

[rubato]

If they're coming back from the same rootstock you can try boiling water. I took out some ivy and pittisporum (sp?) and used persistent applications of boiling water to eventually kill all the shoots. Fast acting and no poisoning of adjacent plants.


yrs,
rubato

[wesw]

privet. sounds right liberty.

[liberty]

It is only right that I report back the results of my visit to the county agent. The name of the tree is Lugustrum Lucidum or also known as Chinese Privet. It is a Chinese invader from southern China. Who said Privet, you win one, I told so. I was sure it was boxwood.

[rubato]

Did you try boiling water or Roundup on it?

[Lord Jim]

It is only right that I report back the results of my visit to the county agent.

[BoSoxGal]

I think of privet as a lovely hedge with sweet-smelling flowers, when in bloom.

Since it's so terribly hardy, can you groom it to fit your landscaping? That might be the better approach - compromise. I'm sure it's a lovely habitat for birds and other small creatures.


eta: I must be thinking of another privet variety; this one's lovely but sounds like it's not terribly good to deal with - does offer some methods:

https://sites.aces.edu/group/forestry/b ... aspx?ID=46

[liberty]

Did you try boiling water or Roundup on it?

I have about three or four acre of these trees, way to big to spray. I will have to first cut down the trees and then deal with sprouts. With the sprouts I will use roundup sparingly along with my brush whacker. I might even replace the brush whacker blade with a saw blade.