Sweet Gum Trees!!!!

[debo4702]

Okay I need some help. My property is becoming infested with these horrible trees. They are worse than weeds. If you cut one down five come up in its place. They are taking over. I try digging them up but if any root is left over a tree grows from it. My pasture is full off them and since we got rid of the goats....with the help of a few local coyotes..there is nothing to eat them down. Now they are too big to bush hog so we have to hand cut them. Is there anything that I can put on the tree stumps to prevent them from growing back? I feel like I'm running around in circles trying to keep these under control. I hate to use poison but I have too much land to keep trying to hand cut these weed trees.

[Old Vet]

Originally Posted by debo4702

Okay I need some help. My property is becoming infested with these horrible trees. They are worse than weeds. If you cut one down five come up in its place. They are taking over. I try digging them up but if any root is left over a tree grows from it. My pasture is full off them and since we got rid of the goats....with the help of a few local coyotes..there is nothing to eat them down. Now they are too big to bush hog so we have to hand cut them. Is there anything that I can put on the tree stumps to prevent them from growing back? I feel like I'm running around in circles trying to keep these under control. I hate to use poison but I have too much land to keep trying to hand cut these weed trees.

You can use roundup on the trees then in about a week cut them down and they will not sprout from the roots.

[sweetbabyjane]

There is a company in Americas, Ga that makes chop sticks from Sweet Gum trees, there was an TV show about it recently (maybe 60 minutes?). Someone on one of the forums here posted that they saw an ad on Craigs List from a company wanting to buy Sweet Gum and Poplar trees. It didn't pay much, about $8 a ton, but maybe you could get rid of your trees and make a little money at the same time.

Here is a link to the post, it's Capt Quirk, last post on page two:
exporting hay to china

Just a thought,
SBJ

[debo4702]

Thanks, I did not think there was much use for these trees. I know back in the day people used the sap but not so much now. The wood is soft and doesn't burn to well b/c of all the sap in it. However we have burned it for firewood before. Most of the trees are not very large anywhere between 3ft to 20ft. If there was big money in it then I could be set b/c we grow these too well. I think we have some roundup put back somewhere I give it a try.

[arcticow]

Get the generic glyphosate so you can afford to go double on the rate for a sprayer full. It will get' em.

[Deep Woods]

I don't think Roundup will do it....better try some 2-4-D or something similar.

[Bearfootfarm]

Is there anything that I can put on the tree stumps to prevent them from growing back?

Cut them as close to the ground as you can, and paint full strength Glyphosate on the ends ot the stumps

[ksfarmer]

There is a product, I think called "Pasture Guard". Mix it in a sprayer and spray on the leaves of the tree. We use it to kill thorny locust sprouts and small trees in our pasture. Works very well.

edit; here it is "pasturegard" label includes sweet gum: http://www.dowagro.com/range/products/pasturegard.htm

[Rockytopsis]

I was going to suggest goats but then I read the whole post. Sorry I am no help here.
Nancy

[tailwagging]

grow mushrooms on them

http://mushroommountain.com/grow_you...ultivation.asp

[Wanda]

Crossbow is a very good spray to use that will not kill your grass. If you want to cut them Tordon has a very good product that you put on the fresh cut stump to keep them from suckering.

[tinknal]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Cut them as close to the ground as you can, and paint full strength Glyphosate on the ends ot the stumps

Glyphosate needs to be applied to green growing parts of a plant.

[OkieDavid]

I second Tordon.... comes in a concentrate or as TordonRTU (ready to use). Just a squirt on each stump as you cut thej and you are done.

[arcticow]

I always worry about Tordon, Grazon, 2,4d what with all the apllicator cert. stuff reqired now...

[texican]

There is a market for sweet gum saw logs... you just need to let em grow 40 or 50 years...

Goats will eliminate them in short order, if they're allowed to graze the area.

[Bearfootfarm]

Glyphosate needs to be applied to green growing parts of a plant.

The outside (Cambrium) layers of a fresh cut stump ARE "growing parts" of a plant
It does NOT have to be sprayed on "leaves" to work

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/c...lem_roots.html

Tree stumps - Many trees, such as sweet gum, wild cherry, and maples, will resprout after they have been cut down. Sometimes sprouts will appear on roots near the soil surface.

To prevent resprouting from surface roots or the main trunk, stumps of freshly cut trees should be treated with a brush killer or a 25 to 30 percent solution of Roundup, as soon as the tree is cut.

[OkieDavid]

Originally Posted by arcticow

I always worry about Tordon, Grazon, 2,4d what with all the apllicator cert. stuff reqired now...

You might check your state requirements. That is what makes the TordonRTU a good buy as it comes premixed available off the shelf. Unless you are spraying for a fee (commercial applicator), I don't believe Texas requires a certification for 2,4D or Tordon (at least in the RTU formulation). I'm actually surprised Wal-Mart doesn't carry it.

[Bearfootfarm]

what with all the apllicator cert. stuff reqired now...

Many of those herbicides have "over the counter" diluted versions anyone can buy.
The certifications are required for the full strength versions that have to be mixed

[Capt Quirk]

Originally Posted by sweetbabyjane

There is a company in Americas, Ga that makes chop sticks from Sweet Gum trees, there was an TV show about it recently (maybe 60 minutes?). Someone on one of the forums here posted that they saw an ad on Craigs List from a company wanting to buy Sweet Gum and Poplar trees. It didn't pay much, about $8 a ton, but maybe you could get rid of your trees and make a little money at the same time.

Here is a link to the post, it's Capt Quirk, last post on page two:
exporting hay to china

Just a thought,
SBJ

I was wondering why me ears were burning... Don't believe a thing she says, I didn't do it

[debo4702]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I will try this and hopefully be able to get my pastures back.