Small trees growing in my window wells

CrazyArtist 8/13/2017, 2:21 pm

I'm new here so not sure where to post this question.
I have small trees that keep growing back in my window wells. I believe they are Hackberry trees. I cut them down all the time but they keep coming back with a vengeance. How can I safely (as in safe for the environment and myself) get rid of these things? They are a bit hard to get to as the window wells are fairly small ones. If I cover the wells with the covers you can buy at someplace like Home Depot, prevent them from continuing to grow back after i cut them or will it have a terrarium affect?
Thanks

Judy McConnell 8/13/2017, 4:04 pm

Welcome Crazy Artist! I have the same problem with English Ivy - still fighting it in the yard, etc for over 30 years.

Window well covers will form miniature green houses for these weeds.

You might have some success - if, after cutting them - you pour warm alcohol or salt solution over the stumps - that might kill the roots.

Are you able to dig the roots out from the window well? That might be best, then saturate what remains with either of the above solutions.

CrazyArtist 8/13/2017, 4:21 pm

Wish I could dig them out. The window wells are too small for that. I thought it would have a mini greenhouse effect but was hoping maybe... lol
I have tried regular weed killer but it's not strong enough. One of the trees has gotten quite a good hold on things. It's now about an inch and a half thick. The others are in the other 2 window wells on the other side of the house and are very skinny, spindly ones.

CapeCoddess 8/13/2017, 5:49 pm

Can you cover them with black plastic so the sun can bake them dead? After cutting them back of course.

CrazyArtist 8/13/2017, 8:51 pm

I think I can do that with the skinny, spindly ones. I thought about pouring boiling water on the big one. and then Epson salts or vinegar. That bigger one is pretty resilient. Hackberry trees are all round where we live and nobody likes them. They've become a real pain for us all.

**AtlantaMarie** 8/14/2017, 7:06 am

Hi CrazyArtist. Welcome from Atlanta, GA!

I'd try vinegar, Epsom salts, AND black plastic all together.

No_Such_Reality 8/14/2017, 12:11 pm

I'd skip the attempted chemical assault and just go physical. Snip the tree off with pruners, dig as much of the root out as possible and then solarize the box with black plastic.

Are there any grafted trees around? I just dug out an inch thick woody root that was over 30 feet long from running along the house. I cut it off and stop where it ran under the concrete slab for the AC cooling tower it's most likely from the plum that's 15 feet further away and on a semi-standard root stock that keeps sending out runners.

CrazyArtist 8/14/2017, 6:03 pm

I've tried the all out assault on the above ground part. There isn't enough room to get a shovel in enough to do any real damage.

**Scorpio Rising** 8/14/2017, 9:22 pm

There is brush killer, do you have access to a farmer? They have chemicals....really. Good . Chemicals. Rarely needed, however in your circumstances I think go for it. TSC, Ace or your local dude at the breakfast. Diner....

Hackberry is super survivor! Twisted Evil

CrazyArtist 8/14/2017, 10:52 pm

I think you're right Scorpio Rising. I was hoping to get different news. lol
I think I'll try some of the milder things 1st though before bringing out the big guns. I really don't like using harsh chemicals. I always try to be as environmentally conscious as i can.

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