I have a few individual mesquites that are too tall to foliar spray, so I am going to mark them to cut stump spray with Remedy and Diesel. I figure I am only going to mix a gallon, so I will be doing just a few trees, scattered all around the place, which is why I am flagging them.

Does it matter if I cut the stump near ground level? I would prefer to cut these trees within 2" of the dirt so I can still drive over them with the tractor. But if I have to leave a taller stump in order to kill the tree, I will gladly do that and cut it shorter a few years later.

If the diameter of the tree isn't large, you may get a decent kill.

Worst case scenario is that you spray the regrowth with remedy and diesel again. Go for it.

The ones I have so far are 6 to 8" inches diameter. I don't think I will run into any much different than that.

I don't think you're going to get enough active ingredient on those size trees if you cut the stump. If they are that size, I suggest leaving them to rot in place.

If the bark is rough, you may also have a problem. I'm not really experienced spraying really large mesquites with Remedy; I suggest that maybe instead you get someone with a cattle sprayer to foliar spray it with Sendero.

I do this all the time with a very high kill ratio. Cut the stump as close to the ground as you can without messing up your chainsaw. It doesn't matter how big the tree is. Immediately spray the stump with a 20% remedy diesel mixture. Make sure the stump is clean before you spray it. Make sure you spray the entire exposed surface of the stump, both top and sides. You should get a very high kill rate doing this, and you can do it any time of year. Also, the stump should not be wet and you don't want any rain coming in after you spray.

Allen76,

I realize that you're an old hand at killing our mutual 'friend' the mesquite, but, if you can wait a bit, here's what I'd do:

1. Don't cut the tree at all, yet;

2. Basally spray (thoroughly) about a 12" band all around the lower circumference of the tree with your Remedy (61% Triclopyr + Diesel mixture);

3. Wait 120 days and check for evidence that you did the proverbial 'good job';

4. Then cut those trees as low as you would like, or pay a guy to mulch them down to save yourself the trouble of cutting, stacking, and burning (or hauling).

Now, as for the mixture -

In Central Texas, I've killed big mesquites (18" diameter) with just 1 pint of 61% Triclopyr per gallon of diesel. A&M, however, recommends twice that rate (1 quart per gallon).

So, if cost is no object, follow A&M, not me. ;-)

Have fun! I love seeing those &%^$#@$ die, especially when I see that huge scar on my calf that took 6-months and a doctor's help to heal.

SWCBonfire said:

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I don't think you're going to get enough active ingredient on those size trees if you cut the stump. If they are that size, I suggest leaving them to rot in place.

If the bark is rough, you may also have a problem. I'm not really experienced spraying really large mesquites with Remedy; I suggest that maybe instead you get someone with a cattle sprayer to foliar spray it with Sendero.

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Right now, I get to the top of some fairly tall ones with my rig. I stand on top of the tractor and I guess I am reaching a little over 20 feet.

What I have mostly are these very tall, 6-8" diameter mesquites, that are growing next to some live oaks. I could use my "stand on top of the tractor" method, but it takes a lot of spray. From the past years of experience with Sendero, it is very good at being selective. It does not kill oaks, but if you get much spray on the oak, it does kill the leaves that it soaks. So I wanted to avoid foliar application on these few trees.

Anyway, this is a small project that I will be doing as soon as foliar spray season is over (fall).

I appreciate all of the responses, and it is good to hear that someone does get good results from cutting the stump very short.

Basal spray does work well on the smaller smooth-trunk trees, not as well on the older rough-bark trees. And on the older trees you will need to use a more concentrated mix of remedy diesel. Also you will have to use quite a bit more herbicide when spraying 12+ inches up around the entire trunk. For me, I prefer the cut stump method.

I might be concerned if they are too close to your live oaks.

Every time I see Ribeye Rare's user name, it makes me hungry, especially an hour before lunchtime.

I've been doing basil spray and cut stump method with mesquites ranging from twigs to 6" in diameter. (Basial only on the smooth barked ones.) But I've been using the 15% solution of Triclopyr and diesel for all of them. Did I waste my time on the trees over 2" in diameter?

In the next few weeks I'll be spraying yard mesquites at the ranch, once the wind stops blowing. Trunks are less than 1.5" in diameter.

The AgriLife site offers this recipe for basal application on trees that size.

19 oz. of Tripoclyr
1 gallon of diesel

The result is a 15% herbicide application.

Sound about right?

SanAntoneAg said:

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In the next few weeks I'll be spraying yard mesquites at the ranch, once the wind stops blowing. Trunks are less than 1.5" in diameter.

The AgriLife site offers this recipe for basal application on trees that size.

19 oz. of Tripoclyr
1 gallon of diesel

The result is a 15% herbicide application.

Sound about right?

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19 oz Triclopyr + 108 oz diesel = 85/15 ratio.
Adding a gal diesel to 19 oz knocks it down to 13%.

So much for their recipe, you're spot on.

Thanks for the math!