Privet shrubs are popular in the landscape, but they can grow out of control.It's possible that physical removal won't be successful.foliar herbicides are the best for clearing dense hedges.The treatments for sparse hedges might be better.
Step 1: The privet was pulled by hand.
If the privet is taller than 40 cm and thinner than your wrist, hand pulling them is only an option.Pull the privet as soon as possible to stop it from growing seeds.It's ideal for spring or early summer.The process is easiest when the soil is moist.The privet stem is at the base.Pull it straight up.If the roots remain in the soil, the plant can grow again.If the plant doesn't budge, it might be a sprout from a root.If this is the case, you need to try a different option.
Step 2: You can use a weed wrench.
If you're dealing with privet saplings that are less than 5 cm in diameter, you might be able to use a weed wrench.You might be able to use a weed wrench on multi-stemmed privet as well.Place the wrench around the base of the privet and then use the long handle to pull up the plant.You should not use this option in areas with plants you want to preserve or when privet lies along stream banks and slopes.
Step 3: The bark of larger stems should be hit.
When privet becomes wider than the average adult wrist, hammering is the most effective way to remove it.The bark can be removed with a hammer and chisel in late winter.The section should be beneath the first branch.Continue wounding the bark to keep this blank patch.The privet should die off within a year or two.You can cut the trunk and dig up the stump after the privet dies.
Step 4: There are limits to hand cutting.
When used alone, the privet will grow, but you can cut it by hand using standard tools.Early in the growing season, trim the privet as close to the ground as possible.You may need to cut the privet multiple times throughout the season.You can cut the privet to expose the exposed plant.The privet should be killed by doing so.The "Cut and Paint Treatment" section has more information.
Step 5: Control growth by covering it with brush.
It won't be enough to permanently remove the privet, but brush mulch should help keep it under control.When dealing with dense patches of privet, this option can work well.The brush should be mulched in the spring, summer, and winter.The privet may spread seed in the fall.You can mow down individual privet plants by driving the brush mulcher over the patch.When the privet starts to grow again, the remaining stumps should be hidden under the mulch to make it easier to remove.
Step 6: Late in the growing season, applyfoliar treatments.
In the late summer and early winter, these treatments are most effective.Summer applications can bring about moderate levels of removal.The privet must retain green leaves forfoliar treatment to be truly effective.The air temperature should be in the 40s.Don't spray foliar treatments on windy days.
Step 7: Purchase an appropriate weed killer.
Glyphosate is an active ingredient infoliar herbicides.If not more, you should use a concentrated type."Ready to Use" formulas aren't concentrated enough to work.Formulas with a surfactant may prove to be more effective than those without one.
Step 8: The water should be mixed with the herbicide.
Combine 4 to 6 fluid ounces of herbicide for every 4 liters of water.Follow the instructions on the label.If the product must be mixed with an additional surfactant, add 0.6 fluid ounces per 1 gallon of water.
Step 9: The privet should be sprayed with the herbicide.
If you want to cover as much of the patch as possible, use a sprayer.Single nozzle backpack sprayers are recommended, but you can also use a hose or handgun style sprayer.The most effective way to treat high density patches is with high-volume handgun sprayers.Wait until the crown foliage is thoroughly wet before spraying.Since the herbicide will kill non-selectively, work carefully to avoid spraying other plants.
Step 10: If needed, repeat.
One year after the first treatment, dense privet patches may need to be applied again.If you apply more foliar herbicide, dense foliage will grow back.If only a few stems grow back, you can use a treatment that targets individual plants.
Step 11: During dry weather, apply.
The bark of the privet should be dry before you apply the bark herbicides.The ground should not be frozen.The best time to apply the herbicide is in the late winter or early spring.When done right, summer and fall applications can still be effective.
Step 12: Take oil and mix it with triclopyr.
1 gallon (4 L) of product can be created by combining 26 fluid ounces of an oil-soluble triclopyr ester product with enough horticultural oil.All of the options are acceptable.You can use one of the ready-to-use triclopyr ester herbicides instead of mixing the two if you want to.
Step 13: The stem should be sprayed.
You can spray or paint the bottom of the privet stem.This may only work on stems less than 15 cm in diameter.It is easy to apply when you use a backpack sprayer.Attach a nozzle to the spray hose.Don't allow the herbicide to puddle in the soil around the base of the stem if you continue to wet the bark until it appears covered.
Step 14: Don't follow up if you need to.
If you don't give the privet enough time to work, the bark treatments will kill it.After most have died off, you can try another application.If you applied the initial treatment in the late winter or early spring, you should make a follow-up application no later than the fall or winter.Evaluate your options before reapplying.The basal bark method can be used to treat small stems that may have been missed during the initial application.Medium and large stems may respond better to other treatments.
Step 15: This treatment can be applied during the fall.
It is usually easiest to apply this treatment in the late fall, after most foliage has died off.Don't use the cut-and-paint method in early spring.The exposed stump will become damp and sticky after you cut it, which will reduce the effectiveness of the herbicide.
Step 16: An appropriate solution to mix.
Glyphosate or triclopyr amine are the best pesticides.To make an appropriate solution, mix the two with water.Choose a concentrate with more than 41 percent.When using triclopyr amine, choose a concentrate with at least 44 percent.Combine 32 fluid ounces with enough water to make 1 gallon of solution.If you need to delay chemical treatment after cutting, you should use 26 fluid ounces of a triclopyr ester herbicide mixed with enough diesel or bark oil to create a gallon of solution.
Step 17: The privet needs to be cut down.
Only a short stump is left after cutting down the privet stem.Before moving on, remove any sawdust from the site.The lowest branch of the stem is where the cut should lie.The process should work if the stump is low and there are no branches left on the remains.You may need to drill holes into the stump to improve the effectiveness of the herbicide if the privet is larger than 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.The drill bit can be used to create downward holes in the cut surface.
Step 18: The privet should be painted with the solution.
If you want the best results, you should immediately paint or spray the cut area.The easiest way to apply the solution is with a spray bottle.If you want to prevent a puddle from forming around the stump, cover the entire cut area until it becomes moist.Within minutes of the cutting procedure, aicide application should be performed.Within two or three weeks of cutting, apply an appropriate triclopyr ester solution.
Step 19: If it's necessary, apply again.
If done correctly, every treated privet stem should die off, making a second application unnecessary in most cases.You can try to get the solution back if the privet doesn't die off within a couple of months.