It’s no secret that we love trees here at Hansen’s Tree Service. Trees provide multitudes of benefits to ourselves, our homes, and the planet:
- Reduced energy costs
- Less stress
- Cleaner air
Up Next: Tree Care 101: Preventative & Curative Treatments
But sometimes, there are times when we don’t want a tree in a certain place. Here is why and how you should remove unwanted saplings from your yard:
Why Remove Saplings?
“The right tree in the right place” is an important mantra when it comes to where a tree should preferably grow.
Unwanted saplings compete with other greenery for nutrients and can become invasive and difficult to manage if left unattended. Not to mention, if the tree saplings are from an invasive tree like a tree of heaven, they can spread and choke out native species.
Pull Them Out By Hand
Before unwanted saplings become too well established, pulling them up by hand is an effective way to remove them. This process can be long and laborious, but well worth it in the end. Make sure that you are wearing gloves for safety and get the saplings up by the roots to ensure they don’t grow back. If you are having trouble removing them, try soaking the soil around them with water and using a hand spade.
Apply An Herbicide
Applying an herbicide can be an effective way to remove saplings from your yard. However, before applying these, read the instructions carefully to make sure you are getting the right one for your needs. If you have children or pets, make sure that they are not exposed.
It is recommended to leave the herbicides to the professionals like those at Hansen’s Tree Service. We are trained and certified in applying the correct herbicides safely.
Remove Invasive Trees
Removing invasive trees that easily spread will go a long way in preventing unwanted saplings in your yard. Replace these trees with native alternatives like dogwood and check with your state and local governments for tree replacement programs.
These programs are designed to provide homeowners with low-cost alternatives and incentives to replace invasive and non-native trees with native species to promote the health and biodiversity of the local environment.