Having a garden can be satisfying. However, it comes with its drawbacks. For instance, you’ll have to ensure bugs and diseases won’t attack your plants.
Also, you’ll need to take measures to prevent this spread of weeds, which can deplete your grass (and other plants) from essential nutrients. And to do so, you may have to purchase suitable treatments.
But, as you may already know, some products might harm your plants. So, you’ll need to understand which solutions you can safely use in your garden. For instance, can you spray Roundup around trees?
Keep reading this essential guide we put together if you want to find out!
Can You Spray Roundup Around Trees?
If you have a lawn, you have to be careful with weeds. And that also means taking measures depending on the severity of the issue. While we recommend you use organic solutions first, we understand that sometimes they might take more time to be effective.
And if you need to take care of the problem soon, Roundup is one of the best products you can apply. After all, it is an effective herbicide that removes most weeds, sometimes even in a single application. Roundup is a versatile herbicide.
But since you have to spray it, you may have to pay attention to what’s around your affected plants. Research shows that Roundup is a safe product that won’t harm your trees if it doesn’t come in contact with its foliage.
You may have to pay attention to younger trees, which are usually more susceptible to damage, especially if their roots pick up the product.
The problem with Roundup is that it is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it can eliminate any plant, including some trees. However, mature specimens are usually strong enough not to be affected by Roundup.
How To Minimize Risk With Roundup
As you may have learned in the previous section, Roundup is usually safe, but you’ll need to pay attention to how you use it. The solution contains Glyphosphate, a chemical that can interfere with the plant’s chemical production of amino acids essential for development when leaves and foliage absorb it.
However, if you know how to apply Roundup properly, you’ll unlikely cause issues to your trees. Because of its composition, the product only works when leaves absorb it, meaning it doesn’t get to the soil or transport it to nearby roots.
Avoid spraying Roundup close to the soil if shallow roots are growing around. Doing so will minimize risk. Also, if you have seedlings or young trees, protect them from windborne contamination. You can wrap them in plastic or flees or use any other type of cover.
Additionally, avoid using Roundup to kill suckers: they are connected to the tree’s vascular system, meaning spraying them can cause long-lasting damage to your plant. Instead, prune suckers during the dormant season.
Finally, use Roundup when there is little to no wind to prevent it from getting to plants you don’t want to treat. If necessary, you can also use it as a spot treatment and apply it with a brush.
How to Deal With Damage Caused by Roundup
While unlikely, your plants may suffer after you apply Roundup. Unfortunately, it may be hard to spot what is causing harm to your trees. Indeed, symptoms are usually similar to nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations. But if you notice something off with your trees after a couple of weeks you applied Roundup, Glyphosphate may have caused issues.
If your trees’ foliage starts to look yellow or if you notice their edges becoming brown and crispy, you’ll need to take better care of your tree. Luckily, you won’t have to do anything special.
The problem with that kind of damage is that it lasts a couple of years. But if you take care of your trees, they may recover. So, don’t lose hope! Protect them from additional stress or damage. To do so, ensure you maintain adequate moisture, prune them when necessary, and take measures to prevent pests and diseases.
While it may sound counterintuitive, you must suspend fertilization when your tree suffers. Indeed, the application of enhancing products will further stress your tree (as it will push it to grow faster), which may slow down the recovery.
Related article: How Long After Roundup Can I Plant Trees?