Trees are beneficial for both people living in urban areas and those residing in the country. They clean the air, provide a habitat for birds, and add aesthetic value to properties. But sometimes you might need to keep that tree from growing. There are many reasons why you might need to control the growth of a tree. Perhaps it’s interfering with utility lines or visibility from your home. Or maybe it’s growing in an unexpected location, like blocking a window or another entrance to your house. If you’re facing one of these situations, then you need to learn how to stop a tree from growing — with the use of root inhibitors!
How To Stop A Tree From Growing?
- One could dig a hole around the base of the tree and fill it with cement or rocks. Or you could wrap the trunk with a tree wrap to prevent the tree from growing into the electrical wires. If you live in an area with frequent lightning strikes, you might even want to consider installing a surge protector.
- One could trim the tree to keep it from growing so tall.
- One could spray the tree with an herbicide, although this would be hazardous to the tree and its wildlife and human inhabitants.
- One could apply a systemic pesticide that would kill the root system and prevent further growth.
- One could use a non-systemic pesticide that would kill only the leaves and branches of the tree, which would essentially result in a “chemical haircut.”
- One could remove the tree entirely by digging up its roots or cutting down its trunk with a chainsaw.
- One could erect a physical barrier around the tree, such as a fence or hedge, to prevent it from growing taller than about four feet (1.2 meters). This is probably one of the best options for keeping trees short when you have limited space for them; however, it can be costly if you have to pay someone else to do it for you!
- One could remove all trees from your yard except one or two small ones that you can easily trim yourself without using any tools at all! And then once they grow tall enough you can prune them back so they are small enough again!
- One could use herbicides and pesticides to kill the grass and other plants in the yard, making it less attractive for trees to grow there.
- One could trim all the trees in your yard so that they are no taller than about 4 feet (1.2 meters). This is probably the best option if you have limited space or if you don’t like tall trees. However, it will require continuous pruning of all the trees every year or two until they reach your desired height, and it may cost quite a bit of money to hire someone else to do it for you!
What Is A Root Inhibitor?
A root inhibitor is a chemical with the ability to slow or halt the growth of roots in trees and plants. You can use root inhibitors to control the growth of a tree for a variety of reasons, including preventing the tree from growing too close to your home or other structures. They are available in liquid, granular, and powder forms. Liquid root inhibitors are applied through a watering system, such as an irrigation system. Granular root inhibitors are spread around the base of the tree and are absorbed by the tree’s roots. Powdered root inhibitors are applied as dust around the base of the tree and help prevent seedlings from growing in the area.
How Do You Apply Root Inhibitors?
- A liquid root inhibitor is typically applied through a watering system. The amount of time you should water the chemical in will vary depending on the type of root inhibitor and the dosage used. It can be anywhere from 2 to 4 hours per application, depending on the specific chemical used.
- A granular root inhibitor is typically spread around the base of a tree by hand or with a spreader, allowing it to be taken up by the tree’s roots. This method is normally done in conjunction with pruning or digging up a tree’s roots to limit its growth and make it easier to maintain at an appropriate height for your yard or garden.
- Powdered root inhibitors are applied as dust around the base of a tree and help prevent seedlings from growing in that area. They are usually applied when removing trees from your yard to make sure that no new trees grow there for many years after removal!
- In order for root inhibitors to work effectively, you must apply them when it is not raining or when there is no irrigation happening in your yard!
- You must allow enough time between applications so that any chemicals absorbed by the soil have time to dissipate and not affect any other plants growing nearby! Soil takes several weeks to fully absorb liquid chemicals, but only several days for granular chemicals!
- Although they are safe if used properly, they are harmful if ingested, so always keep children and pets away from treated areas until the chemical has had a chance to break down and dissipate.
- If you have pets or small children, make sure they play in the grass and not in areas where root inhibitors have been applied!
- Be sure to read all manufacturer instructions and warnings before use!
- If you have questions about how to apply root inhibitors, your local county extension office should be able to help!
- Be sure to check all areas of your property for unwanted plants, as other plants may have germinated in those areas and need to be removed before they spread!
Conclusion
Trees add beauty, value, and a clean environment to property, but if left unchecked, they can grow out of control and be a danger to people and property. There are many ways to control a tree’s growth, including using root inhibitors. If you need to control a tree’s growth, you’ll want to use the right root inhibitor for the type of tree you’re growing.
