Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What is this plant from hell?!

2

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would cut it down to about waist height ...  treat the stump with SBK brushwood and stump killer. 

    In a few months’ time the remainder of the tree will be dead and the roots will be relaxing their grip on the soil.  

    Then you can use the stump that you have left as a lever to wriggle and jiggle and rock and lift the roots out of the ground ... voila there it’ll be ... gone ... and you can do what you like with your garden 😊 

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





  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Elder wood is hollow in the middle and makes great material for bee hotels so keep some lengths for that if you do cut it down.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    I would cut it down to about waist height ...  treat the stump with SBK brushwood and stump killer. 

    In a few months’ time the remainder of the tree will be dead and the roots will be relaxing their grip on the soil.  

    Then you can use the stump that you have left as a lever to wriggle and jiggle and rock and lift the roots out of the ground ... voila there it’ll be ... gone ... and you can do what you like with your garden 😊 
    Yep, that's how I would tackle it. If time is not a huge factor, most of the roots will rot out after a year.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    One planted itself just where I wanted a small tree. I keep it pruned into shape. Easy if you do it when the shoots are young and soft. I prune off anything growing off the trunk or sprouting at ground level. I'm very happy with it.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    edited April 2020
    Don’t burn it.

    “Make a fire of Elder tree,
    Death within your house will be;”

    ****************************

    "Elder is the Lady's Tree, burn it not or cursed ye be!" 
    Rutland, England
  • amyplumbamyplumb Posts: 14
    Blimey! No death thanks ....
    I'm abit scared of this stupid tree now. I might just leave it, turf around it and then just keep mowing any shoots that come up. I shall not be burning any of the wood and while I'm at it, I'll be asking all fairies and witches for forgiveness.....
    Thanks all for your very helpful advice. Might look up recipes for elderflower wine :smiley:
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    Looks like you have some buds there, let them flower and make cordial, delicious!
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Here's  mine

    It's  been there  4 or 5 years
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Nice mulch!
    Rutland, England
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Thank you. I'll pass your comment on to undergardener. That's his department😊 @BenCotto
    In London. Keen but lazy.
Sign In or Register to comment.