How do you stop new growth on a tree after it's been trimmed?

Question

I had a large holly tree, with branches on the ground. I trimmed it off the ground. Now new growth is starting on the stubs. And on the ground where the roots are. I want to put something on them to stop them from coming back. Help

Answer 1

i use a couple of methods. one is to cut deep lines in the ground level stump which allows water to collect on the stump which causes rot and disease and usually kills it. another is to drill a couple of deep holes, fill them with costic soda and plug the holes with putty. put a heavy traffic cone on top to stop your pets getting to it. this will kill your stump. hammering copper nails through the bark around a tree will also usually kill it.

Answer 2

Truthfully, about all you can do is to continue to trim it at intervals.  Even if you could stop the growth from the stubs the tree will send new shoots from a nearby limb and you will have to prune that back as well.  

Answer 3

I'm assuming you want to keep the tree and not kill it entirely.  

There's no product for stubs to keep them from growing back.  

If you don't want it to look natural with growth on the ground you may need to "limb up", that is, cut the lowest limbs off back at the trunk until what's left hangs off the ground.  

You can't treat the roots with serious stuff  without the chance of killing the tree. Generally, the lawnmower will handle new growth from roots.    

Answer 4

Friend had trees cut down and the service sprayed the stumps with a chemical that stopped new growth--they came back the second year and sprayed again.  I would go to a good nursery in your area and ask for a solution.

Many of the old ways do not work and are very trying and time consuming.

Answer 5

Without killing it you may be in a battle. The stubs where you trimmed it should have been cut off as close to flush to the main trunk as you could not leaving a stub sticking out. It is throwing suckers up from the roots due to the trimming. You may have to just keep on trimming till it grows enough where it thinks it has enough leaves on it to support itself. Cut them as soon as you see them and good luck with it. I just don't know what you could put on them that wouldn't do damage to the rest of the tree. If I read this question correctly you are just trying to stop it from shooting out where you don't want it down low not kill it. If you want to kill it do what the other people suggested. If it is dry keep it watered and water deep.