Question
I purchased property in Michigan抯 northwest lower peninsula in January and on this property are many Locus trees.  The majority of the trees are located in one corner of the property but they are continually trying to grow into other areas, which I would like to keep as tree free.  According to my neighbor, the only thing I can do to keep the trees from growing is to keep cutting my grass.  I know Locus trees develop by sending out underground shouts but is there anything I can do to stop this process.  

Answer
I would treat the unwanted tree leaaves with a herbicide. There are several that can be sprayed on grass and not harm the grass but kill other plants. Check with your local nursery/garden type store for a herbicide for use in the lawn. There is nothing that can stop the locus from sprouting from the roots. And if you spray the new sprouts you may also kill the parent tree--if that is not a problem then you could cut the nearby trees and spray the cut stump with a herbicide called Roundup. The cut stump will take up the herbicide and send it to the root system and kill the roots and stop the sprouting. The Roundup will kill any green plant so make sure it does not get on anything not wanted to be killed. Beside that mowing will keep the sprouts under control.