GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - getting rid of weeds without poisoning my tree

26-09-2003, 06:22 PM

The message
from (Philip) contains these words:

Unfortunately, there is a large amount of
: dock leave weeds around the base. I would like to get rid of them
: without posoining my tree. Any suggestions would be gratefully
: appreceiated

dig them out with a trowel is the best solution. Docks are not as
bad as a
lot of perennial weeds and if you can avoid weedkillers all the better.

I don't understand why it is all the better if one avoids weedkillers.
Roundup has to be absorbed through the leaves and it become innocuous when
it enters the soil.

Franz

How do you know that Roundup is harmless. It could be doing
untold damage to all sorts of levels of the biological chain.

Lets assume the guy has a young tree, surrounded with docks. Whats
that 20 dock plants max. Lets allow him an hour to dig around the
tree removing the dock plants, (taking care to get them darn long tap
roots out). Now he can dig in a little compost at the same time and
he gets a bit of exercise, the tree gets some food, and we dont risk
poisoning anything.

What about the possible damage to the young tree roots as he digs out
the long dock roots?

Janet G