I wanted to post this in the Crepe Myrtle Forum but alas there is none. In fact, I searched for the "right" place to post this and it seems Crepe Myrtles are talked about in many forums from Pacific Northwest Forum to the Sandbox. So here I go. We had 4 large Crepe Myrtles removed from our yard because they grew too close to the house. No, I didn't plant them there. Anyway. There are suckers galore coming up where the trees once stood. The stump was ground down but maybe that is what stimulated them to grow? Because they grow in a circle about 2 feet in diameter far larger in diameter than that trees that once stood there. The suckers grow so fast it is hard for me to keep up with pulling them. Our recent rains pushed them to into warp-speed growth. One sucker is actually flowering!

I cannot let them become trees again. Can I keep them as a bush?? I have never seen any in bush form. Can I pour something on them to kill them without harming the plants and hedges next to them? I will post a picture soon.

(I moved this to the Trees and Shrubs forum.)

Thanks, Dave....anyone have any suggestions??

Let's see a picture.

But if you keep cutting them down eventually I imagine they'll give up and the root system will die. If it's a place where you can just mow over it that would be most convenient.

There are herbicides that will kill it but these all carry their own risks.

If it was me I'd just keep keeping it cleared away, expecting it to eventually give up the ghost.

Here are three of the patches. They are hard to mow unless i use a weed whacker. But in some areas like near the ruellia, that could cut some of them too. And like i say, they are growing so fast i can't keep up! I could paint on the Roundup. I Google it and it says as long as i have roots this will happen. Roundup might kill the Ross eventually?

Cheryl, I have the same problem where a clump was removed to put in decorative fence panels eight years ago. I have dug and sprayed and pulled--still occasionally get pieces coming back. As long as there is a viable piece of root, eventually it will send up new sprouts. This issue is THE reason I haven't planted a tree form Crepe Myrtle, as beautiful as I think they are. The option that has been the most effective in controlling the stuff here is painting on the undiluted concentrate of Roundup Poison Ivy and Tough Brush Killer. In some places, I have been able to place protective cardboard behind larger sections to be killed and spray it on, again with the undiluted concentrate. As intertwined as it looks to be in your beds, I'd say brushing it on to the leaves will be safest for your other plants if you choose to use the product. The only other comprehensive option I know of is to dig out everything and try to get out every piece of root. Which, speaking from experience, is a massive undertaking. So sorry I don't have anything more positive to suggest. Hoping someone with a better experience will chime in, which will help BOTH of us.

Edited to add: I will say that being diligent in at least pulling them out does reduce the number of suckers reappearing.

ShadyGreenThumb said: Can I keep them as a bush?? I have never seen any in bush form.

In my zone, they ONLY grow as bushes or very small trees. Perhaps just give in and let them be bushes? Only other option IS Roundup, full strength, multiple applications.

I'm having the same problem where I dug up grass near a very big, old CM. I'm going to have to get the shovel back out and get those roots out...! I'm pretty bummed about this. I'd wanted to remove all of the grass from that part of the yard where the tree is, but I think I'd just be constantly battling suckers from the roots. Glad I started with a very small area.

Try adding a little bit of kerosene to the full strength Roundup. Make sure you shake it right before brushing it on the leaves. The kerosene is oily and makes the roundup stick to the leaves better and it is a dissicant which keeps the leaves from absorbing water and etc. it will still take a while to work, but it will work better.

If they are suckers from a tree, they are connected to the tree. Poisoning the suckers = poisoning the tree.

I'm still getting sucker growth from CM roots in my flower bed. It's ruined my plans to turn the entire front yard into a bed. The fugly old mangled tree wins. :(((((