There are four ways to kill a tree with copper nails.
The process will be useless if there isn't enough copper nails in the tree.If there are no signs of trouble after a few weeks, add more nails.Only trees that you own can be used for this process.It is a crime to attempt to kill a tree.
Sometimes trees need to be cut down.Trees can damage buildings and block sunlight from reaching a garden when they are in the wrong place.The stink tree, also known as the tree-of-heaven, chokes out native growth because of its offensive smell.The sweet gum can damage a lawn mower.Even though chemicals and salt water kill trees, they can damage the soil around the tree and make it impossible for it to grow again.Without the damage, copper nails do the trick.
The nail is pointed downward near the base of the tree.When choosing copper nails, there is no standard as far as size goes, but the more surface of the nail in terms of length and width, the better the treatment.A longer nail means a higher chance of the tree becoming sick.
Continue hammering nails in a ring around the tree.Increasing the concentration of copper in the tree will cause damage to an increased number of growth cells.The higher concentration will increase the chance of metal poisoning the tree.The idea that a single nail will kill a tree is not true for very small trees.Larger trees can grow over a single nail with no ill effects.
If necessary, cover nail heads with mud.The purpose of covering the copper nails is to hide them.The bright color of copper makes it easy to see in the trunk of trees.With a casual glance, covering the nails makes the process less obvious and can preserve the look of a yard as the tree starts to die.Mud will not completely hide the fact that something has been done to the tree.