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Bob Morris

Chemicals not a sure-fire way to kill ash tree

BOB MORRIS
May 21, 2012 - 11:16 pm
 

Question: I have a huge ash tree that I want to either stop from seeding or kill. I heard about a product that can stop seeding, but I am told due to the size of the tree, it is impossible to spray the blooms. This tree is at least 50 feet tall. It is a real nuisance. Also, if I continuously soak salt brine into the ground would this kill the tree or at least shock it enough to stop producing? Do you have any ideas on how to handle this situation?

Most ash trees are either male or female. It sounds like you have a female tree. Male trees produce pollen and do not produce seed. Female trees require the pollen from male ash trees and produce seed. There are several products available that claim to eliminate fruit, or in your case, seed production. They all work differently and may or may not work on your tree. I am afraid it will be hit or miss when you start experimenting with these products. I do not have any research to back up any recommendations about which product might be successful. I am sorry, but I believe your best solution would be to remove the tree rather than experiment with chemicals on your property. I hope this helps.

Bob Morris is a professor emeritus in horticulture with the University of Nevada and can be reached at extremehort@aol.com. Visit his blog at xtreme horticulture.blogspot.com. For more advice, check the Home section of Thursday's Las Vegas Review-Journal.

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