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Shoots from bay tree roots

RachaelRRachaelR Posts: 3
in Problem solving

Hello All, so we had a HUGE bay tree cut down a couple of years ago and the stump ground down. For a year we covered the whole area with old carpet with the idea that it would kill off the remaining roots. The area is 2.70mx1.6m and I decided to sow wild flowers seeds over it as there were still large roots from the tree across the whole area so not ideal for planting. In the far back corner I have planted a black elder and a jasmine - both are very happy. However, this year I have noticed that there have been loads of shoots from the roots of the tree. They are in patches so my assumption is that some of the roots are still active. Any advice on what we can do to the roots ? I am happy to have the area for wildflowers but the shoots were pretty prolific this year and i really really don't want multiple bay trees growing there. Thank you for any suggestions.

Posts

  • LoganLogan Posts: 2,532
    You could try pulling them up as they grow it will weeken them after a while.image
  • RachaelRRachaelR Posts: 3

    I was trying that and I don't think I was quick enough as I seem to have missed some. I'd say we have double if not more the amount of shoots this year than last year. 

     

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Keep at it.  Assuming that they are suckers, if you keep pulling them up (not cutting them off) you will get rid iof them eventually.

    I'd be inclined to keep just one of them to make a new tree!

  • RachaelRRachaelR Posts: 3

    Some of them have grown too big so I have cut them. Not strong enough to pull them all! I suspect this is going to take a long time!!

  • ItalophileItalophile Posts: 1,731

    Bays are just about indestructible in my experience, particularly mature ones. I've dug 'em up, used glysophate on root systems, everything. They keep coming back.

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,139

    Before you do finally totally get rid of it - if you do - pull some of the small suckers off the roots (with heels, like a heeled cutting) and root them.  They strike easily.  Then you can grow some lollipop or pyramid bays for yourself and your friends, or even some of these http://www.yougarden.com/item-p-750035/pair-of-plaited-mini-standard-bay-trees

    image


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





  • vrcolgrave02256vrcolgrave02256 Posts: 1
    Was a solution discovered for this problem? We have thousands of bay shoots coming up all the time. We have pulled out all we can and we have sprayed with woody weedkiller but the problem still persists. 
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    you'll kill the bush if you spray with a systemic death spray. It's the habit of Bay to do this


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • adamadamantadamadamant Posts: 278
    You can knock it on the head but be warned it takes years. Literally years. We had a small bush i(about 4-5' tall) in a tiny narrow raised bed which was there when we bought the house, probably planted as a wee herb, and finally I decided it had to go because it was a perfect example of wrong plant wrong place.  It was cut down but really difficult to dig out in that position, so for about 8 years I had to blast anything which came above ground with roundup.  I think, finally, it's had its day but to be honest I would not be surprised if another shoot made an appearance.  But just be persistent, I believe success is possible!!
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