Herbicides are a convenient way to get rid of unwanted plants. But did you know that improper herbicide application can damage your prized trees and shrubs? Here’s what using weedkillers can mean for your outdoor space, including when to turn to the professionals for tree herbicide application.
Can I use herbicide in my garden?
Herbicides can be a helpful tool. They make quick work of clearing weeds that compete with your trees and shrubs for vital nutrients by using chemicals like glyphosate to interfere with the growth of unwanted plants. As a result, your trees and shrubs have room to breathe and thrive.
The problem is that, however carefully you apply weedkillers, they can still cause damage to the plants you’re trying to protect.
If you need help with herbicides for tree management, call our Essex tree service on 01277 525 150.
What are the dangers involved in using tree herbicides?
Maybe you’re tending to a newly planted orchard or caring for magnificent specimen trees. Then you’ll know how invasive weeds can crowd out light and prevent your plants from getting the energy they need. Before you reach for the herbicide, however, it’s worth considering the dangers.
Glyphosate is one chemical that’s common in weedkillers, but it’s also found in tree-killing herbicides. You may notice that once lush foliage develops brown spots, or leaves start to shrivel. Alongside twisted and stunted shoots and growth, it’s a sure sign of weedkiller damage that could prove irreversible.
However, it’s not only trees and shrubs that suffer; wildlife and humans are also at risk. Inhaling weedkiller droplets can burn the mouth and throat, resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea. In the worst case, some herbicides can even prove fatal.
If you’re determined to use weedkiller, follow these simple tips:
Always follow the instructions
Wear protective clothing
Never spray when it’s windy
Alternatively, you could contact a tree herbicide specialist such as Crown Tree Services to tackle the job safely and securely.
Is there a safer alternative to Roundup?
Roundup weedkiller is a common sight in most garden sheds. But if you’re keen to move away from glyphosate-based herbicides, is there a safer alternative?
Acid and iron-based herbicides are more labour-intensive than Roundup, but are equally effective if used on young growth. Herbicidal soaps, packed with fatty acids, are another option. Just remember that even safer alternatives can damage shrubs and trees if you don’t spray with care.
Which herbicides are safest around pets?
Even if you keep them indoors when you’re spraying, your pets can still pick up harmful chemicals. Once ingested from their fur, the result is a costly trip to the vet.
For the sake of your pets, it’s safer to use organic alternatives, such as boiling water, lemon juice, or a mixture of one part baking soda to two parts vinegar, to deal with unwanted weeds.
What is the best natural herbicide for a garden?
Chemical weedkillers have a large carbon footprint and a negative environmental impact. If you’re looking for a natural way to manage unwanted plants, consider mulching with bark chips or straw to control weeds and add organic matter to the soil.
Alternatively, you could use companion plants and biological control agents, such as beetles and moths. Low-maintenance ground cover plants are a beautiful and effective way to crowd out your weeds. Otherwise, try cardboard or a weed-suppressing membrane.
What is the best thing to kill weeds forever?
Want to eradicate weeds forever? Then be prepared to use plenty of elbow grease. The most effective way to get rid of them is by hand — either by pulling, hoeing or digging them out.
It’s time-consuming, backbreaking work, but it’s the best way to remove weeds without damaging the rest of your garden plants and giving your trees a chance to thrive.
When should you not use herbicides?
The key to using herbicides is to be cautious. Never spray when it’s windy or use them haphazardly around trees. The roots are particularly vulnerable and often extend out beyond the canopy.
It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the plants you’re targeting. That way, you won’t accidentally spray the tree bark or foliage.
Why hire professionals for tree herbicide application?
When it comes to protecting your trees and shrubs, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of hiring professionals for grounds maintenance services such as herbicide application.
Safe and effective herbicide control is crucial for maintaining healthy trees and shrubs. Chemical weedkillers should always be handled with maximum care and attention. Professional arborists know the best tree herbicide to use to remove unwanted growth with minimal environmental impact.
At Crown Tree Services, our team is fully trained in identifying the right herbicide for the right problem, whether it’s tackling invasive weeds, suppressing regrowth, or ensuring stump decay without damaging nearby trees.
By hiring professionals, like the Crown Tree Service team, you’re not just protecting your current landscape, you’re also preventing long-term issues, including uncontrolled weed spread, costly tree decline, or repeat treatments caused by ineffective DIY solutions.
Herbicide application from Crown Tree Services
At Crown Tree Services, we meticulously select the best non-tree-killing herbicides and use precise application methods to deal with invasive plants, such as Japanese knotweed, that threaten to overwhelm your trees. If knotweed is the issue, our dedicated Japanese knotweed treatment in Essex tackles it at the root, so it doesn’t come back.
Our targeted and customised approach to using tree stump herbicide is suitable for residential, commercial and agricultural use.
Whether you need one-off treatment or ongoing outdoor space management, our team brings the same level of care, safety, and expertise to every job. With Crown Tree Services, you get more than a quick fix, you get peace of mind that your trees and outdoor spaces are in expert hands.
Find out more about our commercial and residential tree services and how we can help you manage your outdoor space.
Need herbicide application in Essex? Contact Crown Tree Services
Need a tree surgeon in Essex? Our qualified arborists can handle everything from tree herbicide application to tree crown reduction, keeping your outdoor space looking immaculate.
Call us today on 01277 525 150 or complete our online contact form, and we’ll be happy to help.
About the Author: Stephen O'Reilly
