copper nail kills a tree?

Question

I know it's been asked on here before,but legal issues aside,will it work? The trees (sumac) are 6"-8" dia.They are on my property and being close to the well,chemicals are out of the question.Cutting them down only results in regrowth from the roots,stump.Thanks for serious answers!

Answer 1

Hi,



I have had a similar problem

I asked a neighbouring farm to deal with a row of obtrusive conifers, to no avail

Then I remembered my Grandfathers advice, so drove 4 inch copper nails into the beggars all around, at near ground level

They slowly perished and were felled.

The process takes about a year, but it works.



Bob

Answer 2

Yes the copper nail will kill a tree as will ring barking, (cutting the bark through just above ground level stops the sap rising and will have the same effect ). But before you undertake any such action check with your deeds and the Local Authority to make sure there are no preservation orders on the trees

Answer 3

Wow, this was a new one on me. I've seen lots of nails in trees, and they never killed them. I don't think you could even get a copper nail in a tree (copper is quite soft), that must be the original joke. Brass? They are strong enough, and i've seen them in trees to attach fence, etc, since they don't corrode like the normal steel ones. Didn't kill them.



Here's what an arborist says, toward the bottom. It also includes info on the girdling technique.

Answer 4

You say sumac...they grow from suckers so if you cut them down they will resprout. Try this..buy some weed and brush killer...cut the tree down and paint the weed killer directly on the cut..this will go directly to the root. It should not hurt your well since you are applying the chemical directly to the tree stump. this will work.

Answer 5

An axe is quicker and you get a pretty good workout