Killing Unwanted Cottonwood Trees: Girdling and Herbicide Method

Effective Cottonwood Control Without Firewood Harvest

A landowner wants to kill five cottonwoods in a woodlot without using them for firewood.

Recommended Method: Girdle + Herbicide

1. Girdle: Use an axe to cut completely around each trunk, removing bark and cambium in a continuous band (no gaps).
2. Apply Herbicide: Immediately spray concentrated glyphosate (Roundup) into the cuts. The tree transports it to roots, killing the entire system.

Why This Works

• Girdling alone stops photosynthate flow to roots, but resprouting often occurs.
• Glyphosate translocation ensures root kill, preventing suckers.
• Minimal chemical use; no soil residual at labeled rates.

Wait 1–2 years for full mortality before felling if desired. Dead standing trees provide wildlife habitat.