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If you cut a root in half will it kill it?

TinglyTingly Posts: 140
in Problem solving

I have had a border cleared of trees and plants- a great big ash, a pyracantha- some bamboo and diddly holly.

am now digging it over

when i find roots if i cut them in half will it kill them?or can the somehow grow aagain?

or do i have to poison them?

have tried digging the big ones out but have sprained wrist.

Posts

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
    I think it depends what they are. Some plants will get very upset if their roots are cut, others take the opportunity to multiply and grow a new plant from each little piece of cut root.
  • SupernoodleSupernoodle Posts: 954

    And generally, the plants you like are the ones that get upset, and the weeds are the ones that multiply....

  • TinglyTingly Posts: 140

    Oh ratbags!!!

    thanks for the replies- looks like will have to wait till wrist recovered and try n dig em out

     

     

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
    Do you know what plant the roots are attached to?
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,352
    Hi Tingly - as others have said the answer depends on the plant. It also depends on the size of the root left.

    I have found that ash tends to sucker so I would think you have a risk of regrowth if there are large ash roots left & I think that most bamboos will regrow from small pieces of root. The other plants you mention are less likely to be a problem.



    I suggest you look at some of the sprays for killing tree stumps if you think the ash roots are large enough to warrant it. Failing that - dig out what you can when you can & glyphosphate when you see any green growth.



    With the bamboo take out every bit of root you see & glyphosphate every bit of green growth. If this was one of the spreading ones it can be a bit of a battle (but winnable!) to eradicate it.



    It might be sensible to not replant the area until you're sure there is no regrowth (ie into early summer) - trying to spot & glyphosphate tiny bamboo shoots amongst new planting could be more trouble than it's worth - depends what you plan to do with the area. I had one year when I spent all spring just zapping regrowth & digging out small bits of bamboo root. I grew a load of expendable annuals to plant for summer colour then in autumn I was able to replant properly.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
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