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Unwanted sycamore growing from house foundation.

dianealivedianealive Posts: 5
in Problem solving
For some years, there has been a sycamore growing from the foundation/wall of my house. It grows from a small gap behind a concrete step and so is impossible to dig out. And of course, it sprouts back stronger every time we cut it back! Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks.
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    This is one of the instances where a weed killer really is needed. I would paint SBK brushwood killer onto  the leaves and wait for it to die. You may need to repeat a couple of times depending on how established the roots are. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • dianealivedianealive Posts: 5
    Thanks so much Dovefromabove! Yes, I thought that might be the case. Peaceful gardening! 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
     :)  🕊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    Unwanted sycamore?  Didn't know there was any other kind!  At least, not in private gardens.  I do love the baby leaves in spring, though.
  • dianealivedianealive Posts: 5
    edited March 2019
    Yes, and there are plenty of baby leaves due!

  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
     I recently heard on telly (so it must be true!) that sycamore wood has anti-bacterial properties, so has traditionally been used for breadboards.  Glad to know it's of some use.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    It hides my neighbours for most of the year.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    edited March 2019
    With the mentioning of "for some years" , I assume the stem is more than 2" diameter .
    Simply drill two or three holes (to about 3" deep) into the top and inject neat Roundup into them ; an old washing-up liquid bottle (with cap) will suffice ; problem solved and decay will occur naturally .
  • dianealivedianealive Posts: 5
    Thank you all for your comments! Paul B3...A good idea but the stem is probably 1/2-1 inch diameter at the base and it would be quite difficult to get to with a drill.
    Really, I am always concerned about using toxic chemicals on anything - having a dog. Maybe I shall put a black plastic bag over it after application. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    That would be a good solution @dianealive. I've used the black plastic bag method over some berberis stems I don't want to grow again in a particularly difficult spot.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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