HOW TO KILL A TREE
TOP TREE TO
ENCOURAGE WATERSPROUTS
LEAVE CODOMINANT LEADERS TO ENCOURAGE
“V” GROWTH AND SPLITTING DURING WINDS AND STORMS.
LEAVE CROSSING BRANCHES TO RUB BARK
WOUNDS.
IGNORE INSECT OR DISEASE DAMAGE
COAT PRUNING CUTS WITH PAINT OR
SEALER TO SLOW HEALING
LEAVE BROKEN BRANCHES UNPRUNED TO
ENCOURAGE PESTS.
SPRAY HERBICIDES OVER TREE ROOT AREA
TO WEAKEN TREE.
DAMAGE ROOTS AND TRUNK WITH LAWN EQUIPMENT.
CUT THROUGH ROOTS WHEN DIGGING
TRENCHES
PLANT CLOSE TO HOUSE OR OBSTACLE TO
REDUCE ADEQUATE GROWING SPACE.
NAIL OR ATTACH ITEMS TO TREE TO
DAMAGE BARK AND GIRDLE BRANCHES.
PRUNE RANDOMLY TO LEAVE BRANCH “STUBS”
PRUNE FLUSH CUTS TO REDUCE WOUND
CLOSURE
LEAVE TREE STAKED UNTIL GUY WIRE
GIRDLES TRUNK.
LEAVE WRAP ON TO CONSTRICT TRUNK
GROWTH AND ROT BARK.
PILE EXCESSIVE MULCH TO ENCOURAGE
RODENT DAMAGE AND BARK ROT.
PUT NON-POROUS BLACK PLASTIC UNDER
MULCH.
LEAVE BALL LACING ON TO GIRDLE TRUNK.
LEAVE WIRE BASKET IN PLACE TO GIRDLE
ROOTS.
LEAVE TREATED OR SYNTHETIC BURLAP ON
TO PREVENT ROOT GROWTH.
DIG HOLE TOO NARROW AND OVERAMEND
BACKFILL TO DISCOURAGE PROPER ROOT SPREAD.
DIG HOLE TO DEEP OR FILL WITH GRAVEL TO COLLECT WATER AND DROWN
ROOTS.