How to Get Rid of Palmetto Palms
Palmetto palms (Sabal palmetto), also known as cabbage palms, have the potential to reach 90 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet. Large palmetto palms should be removed by a professional; however, you may be left with the stump, which you can get rid of yourself with patience, by physically removing it or using chemicals to speed along the decomposition process. For small palmetto palm trees and seedlings that can easily be cut down, you can get rid of the tree yourself without the help of a professional. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Lopping shears
- Saw
- Herbicide
- Spade or pick
- Drill
- Stump decomposing chemicals
Instructions
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1
Cut off the crown of a palmetto palm seedling or small tree. Then, cut off the trunk with lopping shears or a saw. The small stump will die and eventually decompose.
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2
Spray the fronds of a palmetto palm seeding or small tree with glyphosate or another herbicide labeled to kill palms. The tree will die and you can cut it down. Read the label and use according to manufacturer directions.
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3
Remove the stump by digging around it with a spade or pick and lift it out of the soil. For larger trees, rent a stump grinder for a rental center and use according to the user's manual. Grind the stump down to the ground. Cover the area with gravel, dirt or mulch.
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4
Drill several holes into the stump and fill them in with chemicals labeled to decompose stumps, available in most garden centers. Drill and apply the chemicals as instructed on the label. Depending on the size of the stumps and number of holes, it may take up to six weeks to work, and a second application may be necessary.
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