Safest Way to Kill Oleander Roots That Are Wrapped Around Water Pipes

Oleander is an extremely hardy, poisonous shrubbery.

Oleander is a hardy shrub that can withstand both hot and freezing weather as well as drought. Oleander is very difficult to kill, and is also highly poisonous to humans and animals. Removing oleander roots wrapped around water pipes is especially challenging because of the risk of water contamination. However, when proper caution is exercised and thorough measures are taken, oleander roots can be safely removed without contaminating the water supply.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Work gloves
• Dust mask
• Chainsaw or hacksaw
• Power drill with 1-inch boring drill bit
• Weed killer (strongest type available)
• Trash bags
• Rubber bands
• Shovel
• Hand trowel
• Hand ax
• Paintbrush

Instructions

Kill the Oleander Trunk

1. 

   Always wear safety gear when cutting oleander.

   Saw through the oleander trunk as close to the ground as possible, beneath all its branches.

2. Drill a large hole in the center of the stump, using the power drill and large bit.

3. Pour undiluted weed killer, such as RoundUp, into the hole in the root.

4. Cover the stump with a black garbage bag and secure it with rubber bands.

5. Remove the rubber bands and trash bag and reapply the weed killer one to two days later. Re-cover the stump.

6. 

   Make sure the trunk is dead before proceeding.

   Check the stump again after 24 hours. If the trunk has produced no new offshoots, you can assume the stump is dead.

Killing and Removing the Roots

1. 

   Finish digging with hand tools to avoid damaging the pipe.

   Dig away dirt to expose the roots wrapped around the water pipes. Make sure not to split the water pipe with your shovel when digging.

2. 

   Use a small hand ax for precise chopping.

   Chop the roots wrapped around the pipe with a hand ax. Chop far enough away from the pipe that you are not at risk of striking the pipe.

3. Paint each root stump with weed killer, on both sides of the split root.

4. Cover each root stump with a plastic bag and secure with rubber bands. Leave the root for one to two days.

5. Remove each root when you are certain it is dead. Make small splits in the root with the hand ax if it is too tightly wrapped around the water pipe to pull off. Also remove any soil that may have been contaminated by the oleander and dispose of it properly.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to remove the oleander stump, do so before refilling the hole dug to access the water pipe. This will help you prevent striking a pipe during removal.

• Dispose of oleander roots properly.

• To protect others from contamination, set up a perimeter with chicken wire around the oleander roots while you are waiting for the weed killer to take effect.

• Because oleander is highly poisonous to humans and animals, always wear protective clothing when working with oleander.

• Keep all children and pets away from the site while you are working on the oleander.

• Keep all splits in the oleander covered to avoid contaminating the soil or any contact with the oleander's poisonous sap.

• Remove damaged roots from the soil as soon as possible to avoid contaminating it.

• Do not burn oleander -- even smoke from burning this plant is toxic.

References

• Arid Gardener: How to Kill Oleander
• Ride Camp: Easy Oleander Kill
• ThinkQuest: Poisonous Plants: Oleander
• aNews Cafe: Oleander: Look But Do Not Touch