The crown rises meters high into the sky - a robinia can reach astonishing dimensions. Although the deciduous tree was initially desirable, over time it becomes a nuisance for some gardeners. Not only can the considerable height lead to disputes with neighbors, the underground root system also takes up large areas. The roots may be lifting stones. Are you aware of these problems? Then you will learn about numerous options and their efficiency for combating black locust here.
How can you successfully fight a locust tree?
To effectively combat black locust, you can ring the tree, saw off the trunk, use herbicides or use grazing. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and requires different approaches.
Disadvantages of a black locust tree
The following reasons make the black locust an undesirable tree:
- high growth
- extreme toxicity for humans and animals
- Robinias change the composition of the soil over time and can therefore eradicate neighboring plants
Difficulties in controlling robinia
Determinedly picking up a chainsaw and felling the tree as usual unfortunately doesn't lead to success with robinia - at least not in the long term. Fighting robinia is very costly and time-consuming. In order to exist, the deciduous tree depends on a balanced relationship between the above- and below-ground parts of the plant. When the upper parts of the tree are removed, the robinia reacts with increased runner formation.
Various methods for combating
But what to do to destroy the black locust? More or less effective measures are presented here.
The use of herbicides
Fighting a locust tree with poisons is common practice in the USA. The herbicide Roundup is often used. In Germany, its use is viewed rather critically and is subject to legal regulations. If the black locust is part of a biotope, such drastic measures must not be taken
The Ringling
With so-called ringing, you remove the bark on the trunk of the robinia tree. The loss of their “protective shell” makes them vulnerable. As a rule, the tree then dies.
Sawing off the robinia trunk
The method of sawing off the robinia trunk at about chest height has proven to be successful. If the treatment is successful, the tree will die the following year, so you can dig it out of the ground.
Grazing
After mechanical control, grazing with goats on the affected area has proven effective as prevention.
