How to Kill Small Trees

Small trees may "volunteer" on your property or woodlands, showing up unexpectedly in undesirable locations. Cutting a small tree with a saw or ax may not necessarily kill it. Over the course of the following year, the tree's remnants will send out small sucker limbs as the roots continue to grow. There are two methods of killing a small tree -- one mechanical, the other chemical. While the mechanical method takes some work, it is more effective when used in conjunction with an herbicide.

• 1

  Cut a ring around the circumference of the small tree with a handsaw. The cut must be at least 1/2-inch deep.

• 2

  Girdle the tree using the ax. Strike the tree bark 2 to 3 inches above the saw cut in a downward motion with the ax, removing the bark all around the tree. Make sure you fully expose the interior of the tree, leaving a large gap with no bark growth.

• 3

  Mix the 2,4-D herbicide in the garden sprayer, according to label directions.

• 4

  Spray the herbicide on the girdled area on the tree, so it is dripping from the area. It may take a couple of herbicide applications over the next two days to effectively kill the tree.