Easiest Way to Kill Mimosa

Mimosa trees are pretty but invasive.

The puffy pink flowers of the Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) put on a summer show, but anyone who's tried to grow one knows how vigorously these trees reseed. Classified as an invasive plant in many states, the mimosa tree requires quite a beating to die. Homeowners looking for an easy control method should combine two methods--a manual and a chemical control--to kill mimosa trees with the least amount of time and effort required.

Things You'll Need

• Hand saw
• Power saw
• Rubber work gloves
• Herbicide
• Water
• Bucket
• Paintbrush

Instructions

1. Cut your mimosa tree off at its base using a hand saw or a power saw.

2. Cut the trunk into manageable pieces and dispose of them in a garbage bin. Do not compost them if your mimosa tree has started flowering, as this will just cause the seeds to disperse.

3. Put on rubber work gloves that cover your arms. You don't want to get herbicide on your skin. Make sure you are wearing long pants.

4. Combine a herbicide containing either glyphosate or triclopyr with water in a bucket, using a 1:2 ratio of herbicide to water.

5. Brush the herbicide onto the mimosa tree stump to cover the exterior of the stump. The National Park Service advises covering the outer 20 percent of the stump to really saturate it. Take care not to get the herbicide on the ground or on other plants nearby, since it will kill these too.

6. Re-apply the herbicide to the stump following the manufacturer's suggested dosage range and interlude. This prevents the tree from resprouting.

Tips & Warnings

• Herbicides with triclopyr are less damaging to other plants than those with glycosphate.

References

• Invasive.org: Mimosa, Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States
• Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Invasive Council: Mimosa
• National Park Service: Silk Tree