Border crossing sumac

[Tom Dunlap]

A friend of mine has a neighbor with a plot of sumac. Of course the runners are invading her planting beds.

The only regimen I know of to keep them at bay is to grub out the sprouts and rip out the roots back to the property line.

Is there any other way?

Could a dilute solution of glyphosate be used to kill off the runners? This wouldn't be clandestine, she would clear it with her neighbor first incase it killed off more than just the runners.

 

[Jehinten]

Seems that a torch, like shown would be easier to control back to the property line verse a spray which could blow over the property line.

 

[Reach]

I’m not sure Glyphosate will work very well, as it is meant for foliar application only. Something like 2,4d or triclopyr would likely work better, or even Tordon, but be careful with Tordon, put it on with a paintbrush because it has very high soil motility.

Alternately, a root barrier, perhaps one that has both a physical and intrinsic chemical barrier would be a good option to keep everything out of the beds.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Alternately, a root barrier,

That would work of course but in this case way too much work. Sumac isn't that hard to rip out or chop below ground.

It does take a regimen though. Lots of chopping and ripping...like what The Little Prince had to do.

 

[Reach]

That would work of course but in this case way too much work. Sumac isn't that hard to rip out or chop below ground.

It does take a regiment though. Lots of chopping and ripping...like what The Little Prince had to do.

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Fair enough, I’ve never had to deal with sumac; it doesn’t grow around here.

 

[ghostice]

Tom when we've had these kinds of jobs, rather than chemical, Mr Root met Mr Pulaski. I've always (Poplar and willlow roots, Saskatoons and even horseradish) tried to stay away from chemical and stick to physical interventions, because of soil migration and somewhat, persistence. Also down the road a few years, beds can be used for vegetables instead of flowers and folks tend to forget something done years ago.