Hello,

Ideally, the best way to eradicate the saplings in by pulling them. If they are cut off, they may come back much stronger, but if this done frequently, the trees will eventually die, because they are not able to produce chlorophyll and live. This would occur if the saplings are in the lawn and they are consistently mowed. There are chemicals that can be used—cut off the sapling and dab the cut edge with the chemical. However, many chemicals have side effects—they may be persistent in the soil, which is true of Tordon and thus cause damage to neighboring plants or, enter neighboring plants through root grafts. Read more about using chemicals here: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG259

And Listen to a MSU Extension YouTube discussion here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/videos/id-and-control-unwanted-trees-and-shrubs

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.