wrote in message
ups.com...
I wonder if anyone who has any experience with elder trees could
kindly give me some advice? Unfortunately, my botanical and
horticultural knowledge is very poor, and my neighbour has asked that
I help her cut down a trio of 15ft high elder trees that she says is
killing a neighbouring cherry tree (by taking up all the nutrients) in
a small area that we share with a number of houses. Is this a common
problem with elder trees, and is it necessary to cut down them down,
or is there an alternative solution? I am, quite happy to cut them
down, but since its not a minor operation, I thought I should check
first.

Thank you.


Unless you remove or kill the roots it will quickly put up new shoots and
grow again and need trimming back every year. However the shoots are soft so
this is not difficult. A more permanent solution would mean digging up the
roots or using some stump killer after cutting it down.

David.