Dear sailor94708-ga:
I believe that the plant you are referring to is a Sierra Juniper (or
Juniperus occidentalis). This is a very hardy, long-lived species;
individuals of which have been known to live as long as 800 to 1000
years. The bush or tree becomes gnarled with age and the trunk has
been known to split into two. The plant puts on a soft, juicy,
resinous berry similar to a cone in shape and whose odor is
reminiscent of gin, and for good reason. This cone is where gin gets
its flavor. Sierra Junipers are also used as fine art and are
sometimes sculpted in the traditional Japanese bonsai style by
artisans.
The plant can reach 23 feet (7.0 m) in height in the wild if left
alone in optimum conditions, but rarely grows over 40 feet (12.2 m).
The good news is that the taproot, on average, is only about 51 inches
(130 cm) deep, making for relatively easy movement, destruction or
transplantation.
Some people long to have such plants in their years and if your is
indeed a Sierra Juniper you may want to think twice. I’ve provided at
least one link of an example of a person who is selling such shrubs
for as much as $450 each plus shipping! If , however, you are dead set
on doing the little bugger in once and for all, here are several
methods of killing shrubs no matter what species they are:
Method #1: This way is cheap and easy. Cut the shrub down as closely
to the ground as possible. This will deprive the remaining root system
(and stump if any) of valuable nutrients the plant needs such as
light, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.
Next, go to your local hardware store and buy a copper spike like the
kind used for copper roofing. When you get home, drive the spike as
deep as you can into the heart of the remaining stump. A chemical
reaction will begin to take place deep inside the stump that will not
only help kill the remaining stump and root system but will help rot
the system and make it easier to dig up later. In a few months when
the root system appears to have rotted, try digging it up with your
shovel.
Method #2: If you are not into shovel work or you are physically
unable to do it, try bleach. It works. Cut back all the limbs to
deprive the plant of nutrients. Pour a generous amount of bleach
around the remaining trunk making sure to soak the root system. Do
this every day for several days – that shrub will die.
Method #3: If you are too environmentally conscious to use bleach, use
salt as a substitute. This works pretty good too. Use the same method
as with the bleach. You can buy a large bag of salt at your local farm
supply store or farmer’s co-op that should do the trick nicely.
Method #4: Don’t want to fool with any of these? Run an ad in the
paper or post an ad on the Internet. Advertise your “free shrubs” and
tell the respondents that all they have to do is come dig them up. You
might be surprised!
Method #5: Finally, if you are impatient and somewhat adventurous,
burn the critters out. Cut the limbs off the shrub and cut the trunk
leaving about 6 to 8 inches of trunk sticking out of the ground. Place
a small metal barrel half over the remaining stump and fill it with
impregnated charcoal (the kind you would use in a BBQ grill) and torch
it off. Believe me (I’ve used this method many times), the heat
generated by this contained and directed fire will burn a hole in the
ground leaving little more than ashes, and viola, your problem is
solved!
I hope this answers your question
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
“Species Information….Sierra Juniper”
http://biology.fullerton.edu/courses/biol_445/Web/wjuniper.htm
Sierra Juniper $450 plus shipping
http://www.dugzbonsai.com/forsale7.htm
“Juniperus occidentalis BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS”
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/junocc/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html
“Killing A Shrub”
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010730b.cfm |
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