Hardly any other plant in the garden is loved and hated so much at the same time. When the vinegar tree has spread too much, most gardeners just want to remove it. But it's not that easy.
The colorful vinegar tree is really nice to look at and a real eye-catcher. But ask any gardener who has had this plant in his garden for a number of years. Is he still so happy about the plant? Most people clasp their hands and wish nothing more than for the vinegar tree to finally disappear. A big disadvantage is that the vinegar tree grows rampant. Even a regular cut cannot contain it. On the contrary, it's getting even bigger and more expansive.
Although it is certainly not easy to get to grips with the problem of vinegar tree, it is not impossible either.
Get rid of vinegar tree - 4 ways presented
» Mow root shoots regularly
Usually it is not the vinegar tree itself, but its uninhibited spread via root suckers that bring the hobby gardener to the brink of despair.
You can at least reduce the problem visually by regularly mowing the saplings as soon as they appear. However, this will not stop the propagation.
» Pull out root shoots
If you don't just mow off the saplings, but pull them out one by one, the reproduction of the vinegar tree can be effectively curbed and the area around the mother plant can be reduced in the long term. However, do not simply pluck off root suckers superficially. At the same time, remove as long a section of the stolon from which the shoots grew.
You can loosen these spurs quite easily by shaking them vigorously with your hand if you first loosen the surrounding soil with a spade. Then cut off the accessible parts of the foothills using a sharp joint cutter or carpet cutter.
Repeat the procedure between May and November several times a year for a period of three years. The effort is high, but thevisible and lasting success rewards your effort.
» Cut down vinegar tree
You've finally had enough of your vinegar tree and not only want to get rid of the new root suckers, but also the tree itself? Then cut down the trunk and pull out the root suckers as described above. It is very important to take decisive action against the saplings, especially after felling, because their growth will increase at first.
As an additional measure, expose as many of the main roots of the vinegar tree that are near the surface and cut them through with a chainsaw close to the rootstock.
» Remove Rootstock
In order to remove not only the runners and the trunk, but also the rootstock, you need a heavy device. A stump grinder or a small excavator with a suitable attachment will provide you with excellent services. However, these devices are too expensive to purchase for one-time use. Ask at your local garden center or hardware store if they rent tillers and small excavators by the day.
If the stump is not too bothersome, there is a less laborious alternative for immediate removal: speed up the rotting process by removing the stump close to the surface with the chainsaw and then notching the remaining wood as deep as possible. Fill this generously with compost.