Discussions

Hello,  
 
I have this weed (I assume) growing at the NE corner of our foundation. I suspect it may be causing some water leaks we're getting due to some foundation damage below the surface. Can someone ID this for me and suggest a way to kill it down to the roots? My cursory Googling suggests maybe it's Japanese knotweed.

Not knotweed I don't think. Japanese Knotweed has alternate leaves, not opposite. Also, the leaves are more spade-like, not the jagged oval you have.  
 
My initial thought was that it's boxelder/Manitoba maple, and after looking at some photos online I think that's probable (I also have these on my property). It's sometimes hard to tell when they are small. But they also have invasive roots. They are indigenous to this area, and spread easily from seed if you have any in your neighborhood. They are sprawls trees with helicopter seeds when mature. Right now, mature trees are done flowering and just starting to set seed heads, so look around and see if there are any nearby.  
 
Hope that helps!

Also, to kill it, just dig it up. There's no fancy trick/precautions.

Agree with the above boxelder/ Manitoba maple. At that size it should not be causing any foundation problems. You should be able to grasp it at the base and pull the whole thing out roots and all!

At that size, it's just a baby and should pull out without much effort.

Can you not just dig it up the roots aren’t that big for a small sapling tree like in your picture.  
 
We have dug out a few in our flower beds and around foundation of house.

I really appreciate the input. Our neighbour has that tree, so that makes sense.  
 
I pulled many of the smaller ones around the house out today by hand. However, the one in the photo has a very thick "trunk" (it's about 1-2 inches around as it dives into the ground near our foundation). I tried like hell to pull it up, but had no luck.  
 
Short of hiring someone to do this, does anyone else have any other tips/tricks to remove a firmly rooted, thick baby tree?

Cut it down leaving enough wood to pour Round up on roots or there are different root destroyer products maybe try Home Hardware got some there while ago for a stump it worked in the stump and the root.  
 
You could call Alternative see what they suggest they may have a product you can buy.  
 
Google search shows putting epsom salt on the roots will dry them out destroying the roots.  
 
Edited by Mac72, 2024-07-07 19:16:13

This is pretty much what you'll need to do.  
 
If it's concrete blocks there (I can't tell if it's blocks or a poured slab), you could lift the blocks so you can get at it. Hard work, but then you've got it.  
 
Going forward, the best remedy will be to pull them when they're smaller so this doesn't happen again!