Any Landscapers in the House?

[Brandi TX]

At one of my properties, I have 3 pecan trees growing very close to the foundation. They are all still tiny and I need to get rid of them before they grow up and reek havoc.

I have cut 2 of them down as a temporary fix to about 2 inches tall - but of course - they grow back. I have heard that painting the fresh cut "stump" will prevent this. Is that correct? If so, is there a particular product that is better for this purpose?

Thanks for your time.

[Debbie]

I'll call my parents shortly and ask them about it. They are certified Master Gardeners.

I'll get back to you sometime today.

EDIT: Mom said that however you heard about the paint is false. She'll send me an email sometime today on how you can best deal with pecan trees/foundation. I'll cut and paste her email here sometime today.

[Debbie]

Huh, Mom's up late since I just now got her email. Anyway.....

Brandi, here's Mom's response:

Hi Brandi,

I hope your pecan trees are small because the best advice is to dig out the stump. You could put RoundUp on the stump, but it would have to be re-applied and if you got it on anything else it would kill it. Also the roots of a pecan tree are at least twice as wide, (in mostly all directions) as the canopy of the tree. Even if you dig out the stump you will need to continue cutting the shoots that the roots send up. Eventually it will give up if it has nothing to get nourishment from (leaves). If it is close to the house they may even try to grow under it. Unless it gets sun under there that shouldn't be too much of a problem, but do check. Pecan trees like water so try to limit that.

Most states have great information from the Universities extension service. Most have master gardeners volunteering at the county extension office that can answer most any of your questions. I recommend them highly. I looked up and found some information at www.//aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu//extension/homefruit/pecan

Good luck.

[Judd]

Edited

[Brandi TX]

Thanks guys...

I think I'll try the sod and chewed up leg (ur, I mean stump) route. If that doesn't work, I'll try digging up the darn things.

FYI - Debbie, the link in your post is broken. I hacked it well enough to find the Aggie's "oops" page - which led me to a search page - which finally led me to some pages about pecan trees. Having been raised with "Aggie jokes" as my primary source of "what not to do education", the irony of having to do all of that just to get to a web page on the Aggie's website was more than amusing.
:D

[Debbie]

FYI - Debbie, the link in your post is broken. :D

Oops! Sorry about that. Mom must've either typo'd or retrieved the link from the old Texas Directory for Master Gardeners.

I'll mention to Mom tomorrow (she's out of town today).

Thanx.