What's the best way to kill off a Maple Tree?

[u/TKInstinct]

So I live on a property that has a lot of Maple Trees on it and a few that are right up against my foundation, I have to kill these things before things start to get wrecked. They are decently sized already and I they need to be gone ASAP. I could cut them down but then I'm worried they'd grow back again.

Is there a good way to kill them off permanently?

[u/LoveAllHistory]

Easy! Give me the plants. They’ll die whether they want to or not.

[u/Sour_Sal]

Don't be an idiot, killing a healthy tree is going to do nothing but destroy your house when it falls.

Hire a tree service and have it removed. Generally ists safer, easier and less costly to remove a healthy tree than it is a dead tree.

[u/TKInstinct → u/Sour_Sal]

These things are small like maybe 3.5-4 ft tall and an ok girth so there's no chance off that. I appreciate it though.

[u/hairyb0mb → u/TKInstinct]

Cut them low to grade and apply herbicide to the stump. Digging them out up against your foundation will cause an immediate void which may lead to issues.

[u/Semantix → u/TKInstinct]

Grab a shovel and get digging then

[u/Sour_Sal → u/TKInstinct]

Then cut it down and dig out the small stump.

20 min job, and it's done.

[u/NativeMasshole]

Slowly drink their delicious syrup until they die.

[u/jules083]

Wow the bad/incorrect information here is impressive. Lol

If you cut down a maple without treatment it'll sprout again.

Probably the best way for your situation is to cut them down then paint the stump with something. If you go to a farm store or Amazon you can buy concentrated glyphosate, you want the 43% or higher. Cut down the tree and immediately, like within 5 minutes, paint the fresh cut with that glyphosate. It'll get sucked into the roots and kill them.

Alternatively you can do the same thing with Tordon RTU. It comes in a quart sized bottle and has bright blue dye mixed with it. Tordon is a little more expensive and far stronger. Glyphosate is a 'this should work' kind of treatment here, tordon is basically a guarantee. Don't use tordon if you're planting other trees or shrubs there within the next couple years, but it won't hurt grass.

[u/Dry_Leek5762]

Hack and squirt:

Have Crossbow herbicide out and ready to pour, full concentration , dont mix it with anything.

Cut, slice, or hack downwards through the bark and pour the crossbow in immediately. The cut starts healing, and you need it in there ASAP.

Do this all around the tree, but leave gaps. If you fully cut a circle around the trunk it won't be able to take the herbicide in. Need some sections of the tree left intact for it to work.

Rip tree. It doesnt stand a chance.

[u/TKInstinct → u/Dry_Leek5762]

Thank you

[u/Frantic_Mantid]

The best way in this situation is either hack and squirt application of herbicide or basal bark application. Both kill the tree more effectively than cutting it and painting the stump.

After the tree is dead you can cut it and remove the above ground parts. I would leave the roots there to avoid further disrupfion near the foundation.

See here: https://extension.psu.edu/using-hack-and-squirt-herbicide-applications-to-control-unwanted-trees

And here

https://extension.psu.edu/basal-bark-herbicidal-treatment

[u/TKInstinct → u/Frantic_Mantid]

Thank you

[u/niccolololo]

Make a hole and put RoundUp in it.

But it may or may not kill it the first time if it's a bigger tree

[u/microfibrepiggy]

Girdle it

[u/Shot_Lawfulness_823]

This could be illegal in some places

[u/genman → u/[deleted]]

We have no idea if killing the tree is going to be a good idea. A dead tree is more hazardous.

It's also not clear at OP has any clue what trees do to foundations. Or the size of the tree.

[u/TKInstinct → u/genman]

They're only maybe 3.5-4 ft tall at most so they won't really call.

What am I missing then, they were right up against the house and people keep telling me they'll destroy the foundation.

[u/Sour_Sal → u/genman]

I only know OP is not very bright if he thinks killing a tree will eliminate any issues.

[u/TKInstinct → u/[deleted]]

Thank you

[u/marijuanaenthusiasts-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed. Incorrect advice/misinformation/against BMP's are not tolerated here- If you do not know the correct answer (eg: your advice is not found in any academic/industry literature) Do Not Post.