Stopping Sassafras Stump Sprouts in the Lawn

Controlling Persistent Sassafras Suckers

Two years after cutting down a sassafras tree, the stump continues sending up shoots across the lawn. The homeowner wants an effective way to stop this regrowth without harming surrounding grass.

Why Sassafras Sprouts Persist

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) readily produces root suckers after the main trunk is removed. The root system remains alive and uses stored energy to generate new shoots, which can appear many feet from the original stump.

Effective Herbicide Treatment

The most reliable method is applying a systemic herbicide to the foliage of actively growing sprouts. Glyphosate (sold as Roundup and other brands) moves from leaves down to the roots, killing the entire system.

Application Tips for Safety and Success

• Timing: Treat in late spring to early summer when leaves are fully expanded and actively photosynthesizing.
• Method: For precise application near desirable plants, wear chemical-resistant gloves and wipe a glyphosate solution onto sprout leaves with a cloth or sponge. This avoids spray drift.
• Concentration: Use a 2–5% glyphosate solution (check label for "cut-stump" or "brush control" rates).
• Repeat: New sprouts may emerge; treat them promptly. Two to three applications over a season usually exhaust the root reserves.

Alternative: Cut-Stump Treatment

If you can access the main stump or large roots, apply concentrated glyphosate (20–50%) directly to fresh cuts in late summer or fall. This targets the root system more directly.

Non-Chemical Options

Persistent mowing or hand-pulling weakens the roots over time but rarely eliminates them completely. Solarization (covering with clear plastic for 6–8 weeks in hot weather) can help in small areas.