Backyard Lawn Infestation (potentially Kentucky Coffee Trees) - Ask Extension
WHAT: Backyard infestation (for 5+ years) of Kentucky Coffee Trees (per umn.edu webpage). Rapidly spreads via thick root system.
WHERE: Shoreview, MN...
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Backyard Lawn Infestation (potentially Kentucky Coffee Trees) #876532
Asked July 09, 2024, 3:45 PM EDT
WHAT: Backyard infestation (for 5+ years) of Kentucky Coffee Trees (per umn.edu webpage). Rapidly spreads via thick root system.
WHERE: Shoreview, MN
WHY: Past actions to remove these plants from grass and gardens:
1) Simply mowing them down.
2) Digging them out by hand.
3) Spraying w/ Ortho Weed B-Gon.
4) Spraying with Spectracide Weed Killer (which killed the identified plants/small trees and also killed the surrounding grass).
RESULTS: W/in 2-3 days of spraying Spectracide, approximately 25 more of these plants/small trees appeared in my backyard. They continue to spread and grow rapidly.
I am beyond frustrated and feeling helpless, and will appreciate any assistance you can provide.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
All the suckering is very annoying, I have a trumpet vine that suckers madly. Since you have tried the usual methods of control I would mow them off until September and then cut them off close to the stem and paint or dab the cut stem with glyphosate. Hopefully, treating them in fall will reduce suckering and if we have another dry July and August they suckering should be less as the tree tries to conserve energy and water. The suckers can also but cut off as soon as you see them and covered with a piec of cardboard or small can to exclude light. This usually kills them.
