Poisoning Eucalyptus

[Andrew Legg]

Hi All,

In the Western Cape area of South Africa we have an increasing problem with Eucalyptus trees that are an invasive alien species here. I was at a farm recently where they are desperately trying to get rid of them because they are destroying the indigenous flora. Can anyone give me any good methods to kill one of these trees for good? They have apparently tried to poison them, but with a low success rate! None of us like to kill trees intentionally , but in some cases I think it may be justified.

Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Andrew

[Sean M]

Try to bonsai them. Works for me.

Or I think you can put copper nails in them (or is that an old wives tale?)

[Barry1]

Ring barking used to be used in the old days (on big trees ) ...chemical removal, a herbicide like Grazon for woody weeds should work

[Bougy Fan]

Try to bonsai them. Works for me.

That's gold

[Mojo Moyogi]

Do what we do here Andrew. Mine (oops.. I mean log) them for paper (oops again...I mean for precious timber) and to make annual losses of several $ millions (oops...I mean provide LOTS of jobs - making the Government look half competent). Do this and your Eucalyptus problem will diminish.


Cheers,
Mojo

[FatMingsBonsai]

Send some to us for bonsai training ! What a waste

[Dario]

Hi Andrew, how about drilling a hole into them at the base and then filling that (via large syringe?) with some lethal concoction/herbicide that is recommended...sorry I don't know which one to use.
.

...a herbicide like Grazon for woody weeds should work

Cheers, Dario

[Andrew Legg]

Thanks for the responses all. I'll forward them to the farm owners.

Cheers,

Andrew

[craigw60]

Andrew, I deal with lots of tree weeds here in the dandenong ranges, holly, sycamore and Portuguese laurel to name a few. I usually cut them down and paint the stumps with 70% roundup and 30% water. The small amount of water means the liquid is soaked up more easily. The holly usually takes a couple of applications to kill but the others are a first hit.
Hope that helps
Craigw

[bodhidharma]

I dont know how cold it gets down your way but, depending on species, they make great firewood After cutting them down peel the bark to the ground and spray them with poison. That way they are at least utilised.