The Crepe Myrtle, or Lagerstroemia indica, is a popular landscape choice known for its lengthy summer blooming period and attractive exfoliating bark. Despite its ornamental qualities, this species has a vigorous root system that frequently produces unwanted shoots, known as suckers, often far from the main trunk. When a tree is poorly placed or becomes too aggressive, permanent eradication is necessary. Achieving this requires eliminating the residual root structure, which stores the energy needed for regrowth. This guide details the most effective chemical and physical methods for permanent removal.
Initial Reduction to a Stump
The first step in permanent removal is safely bringing the main tree down to a manageable height. Before cutting, assess the area for potential hazards, such as nearby structures, utility lines, or irrigation pipes. Once the upper canopy is removed, cut the trunk down to a stump that stands approximately six to twelve inches above the soil line.
Leaving a short stump provides a surface for applying systemic herbicides, which is more effective than treating the bark or surrounding soil. The remaining wood also provides a handle for mechanical removal later. The surface of the cut must be level and clean, as this fresh area concentrates the chemical treatment. The timing of this cut is particularly important if chemical application is the next step.
Systemic Chemical Elimination Techniques
Systemic chemical treatment is often the most reliable method for permanently killing the entire root system. This involves applying a concentrated herbicide directly to the living tissue of the freshly cut stump. The objective is to utilize the tree’s internal transportation system to move the chemical from the cut surface down to the roots, starving the energy reserves.
This procedure, known as a cut-surface treatment, requires a concentrated product containing active ingredients like glyphosate or triclopyr. For maximum efficacy, the herbicide must be applied immediately, ideally within five to fifteen minutes of making the final cut. Delaying application allows the wound to begin sealing, which reduces absorption.
The target for application is the cambium layer and the surrounding sapwood, the narrow ring of active wood just beneath the bark. These tissues transport water and nutrients, which will translocate the poison to the roots. Applicators can use a small paintbrush, a squirt bottle, or a dedicated wick applicator to precisely target this outer ring, avoiding the non-active heartwood at the center of the stump.
For smaller saplings or persistent shoots, a basal bark treatment may be used as an alternative. This method involves applying a specific oil-soluble herbicide mixture directly to the bark around the entire circumference of the lower twelve to eighteen inches of the trunk. The oil carrier helps the herbicide penetrate the bark and enter the plant’s vascular system, traveling down to the roots. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment and strictly follow the product label instructions.
Non-Chemical Physical Removal
For individuals who prefer to avoid chemical treatments, the remaining stump and root structure must be physically removed from the soil. The most common mechanical method is stump grinding, which uses a specialized machine with a rotating cutting wheel to chip away the wood. Because Crepe Myrtles are highly prone to suckering from residual root fragments, the stump grinder must cut significantly below the surface grade.
For complete eradication, the grinding depth should extend at least six to eighteen inches below the soil surface, especially for mature or aggressive specimens. This depth is necessary to ensure the entire root crown and any major upper lateral roots are destroyed. Grinding to a sufficient depth severs the connection between the stump and the remaining root network, depleting the energy reserves that could fuel regrowth.
Manual removal is the most labor-intensive non-chemical option, involving excavation of the entire root ball. This process requires digging around the stump to expose the major lateral roots, which must then be severed with a saw or axe. For mature trees, the root system can spread horizontally up to three times the width of the canopy, making complete manual removal a demanding task. Every major section of the root ball must be pulled out to prevent future shoot emergence.
Long-Term Sucker Management
Even after the main stump is treated or removed, the Crepe Myrtle is notorious for producing new shoots, known as suckers, from any remaining living root fragments. This is a survival mechanism powered by large energy stores in the residual root system. Permanent elimination requires consistent, long-term monitoring and management of this regrowth.
A common mistake is simply mowing or clipping the suckers, as this action stimulates the root system to produce more shoots. If new growth is allowed to photosynthesize, it replenishes the root’s energy reserves. The most effective non-chemical strategy is to continually remove the shoots as soon as they appear, thereby draining the root system’s energy stores over several growing seasons.
If the initial stump treatment was chemical, new suckers can be treated with a systemic herbicide spot application. A paintbrush or wick applicator should be used to apply the product directly onto the foliage and young stems of the new growth. The herbicide will be absorbed by the leaves and transported back down to the root fragment, eventually killing the entire section. Persistence is paramount, as the eradication process, especially for mature trees, can require consistent effort over one to two years.