Killing a Conifer Without Cutting It Down: Girdling Method

How to Kill a Standing Conifer

A simple, chemical-free method:

1. Use an axe to cut a 1-inch-deep ring through the bark all around the trunk (girdling).
2. This severs the phloem, stopping sugar transport to roots.
3. Foliage will brown and die over weeks to months.
4. Optional: spray herbicide (e.g., glyphosate) into the cut to accelerate death.

Cautions

• Dead tree becomes a hazard; plan for eventual removal.
• Check local regulations—some areas prohibit creating standing dead trees.