Well now, if yer tired of that pesky crepe myrtle poppin’ up all over yer yard, I got a few ways to help ya out. These here trees, they got roots that just won’t quit, always comin’ back even after ya cut ‘em down. But don’t fret, it ain’t too hard to get rid of them once and for all, if ya know what to do. I’m gonna tell ya how to do it, in simple steps, just like if I was explainin’ it to my own folks back home.
1. Use Herbicide to Kill the Roots
One of the quickest ways to stop them crepe myrtles from sproutin’ back up is by usin’ a herbicide. Now, I know some folks don’t like the sound of that, but if ya wanna be rid of them for good, it’s one of the best options. You see, you can use a product like Dicamba or 2,4-D, which are phenoxy herbicides. These will not only kill the branches but also the roots underneath the ground. You just spray it on the leaves, and that nasty root system will be gone before ya know it.
2. Digging Up the Roots
Now, if you’re the kind who likes to do things the hard way, you can always go out there and dig up them roots. Crepe myrtle trees don’t have big taproots like some trees do. Nope, they got shallow fibrous roots, maybe only 10 to 12 inches deep. So, with a little effort, you can get under there with a shovel, and yank ‘em out. Just make sure to get as much of the root as possible, or else they might just pop back up later.
If you’re lucky, you can even get a chain or a cable around the base of that tree and pull it right outta the ground. Those roots are shallow enough that they won’t give ya too much trouble, especially if the ground ain’t too rocky.
3. Stump Removal and Chipping
If you’ve already cut down the tree, but it still won’t leave ya alone, you might want to think about removin’ the stump. Now, I know that sounds like a big ol’ job, but it ain’t so bad if ya got the right tools. One way to do it is to rent a stump grinder. This’ll chew that stump up into tiny little bits. Just make sure to get all the way down to the roots so it don’t try and come back. If you don’t wanna mess with that, you can also use a hand saw or an axe to cut it down as much as possible, then cover it with mulch or soil. Over time, it’ll rot away.
4. Applying Mulch to Prevent Regrowth
Once ya get rid of them roots and stumps, don’t forget to put some mulch or thick layers of soil over the area where the crepe myrtle used to be. This’ll help keep them suckers from comin’ back. You see, they like sunlight, and if you block it out, they won’t have a chance. Also, mulch helps keep the soil moist, which can stop any new roots from settlin’ in and takin’ hold.
5. Regular Maintenance
Even after all that work, sometimes those little suckers can still try to sneak back in. But don’t let ‘em fool ya! All you gotta do is keep an eye out for any new sprouts, and snip ‘em off as soon as ya see ‘em. If you catch ‘em early, they won’t have the chance to spread and get strong. It’ll take a little time, but with patience, you’ll get it under control.
Conclusion
So there ya have it, folks. If ya want to get rid of crepe myrtle roots, you got options. Whether it’s usin’ herbicide, diggin’ ‘em out, or removin’ the stumps, you can take control of the situation. Just remember, it ain’t a one-time thing. You’ll have to stay on top of it, but with some effort, you can say goodbye to them pesky trees for good!
Tags：[Crape Myrtle, remove crepe myrtle roots, kill crepe myrtle, garden tips, lawn care, herbicide for trees, stump removal]
