Locust trees

[Jay]

Over the winter I had three medium sized locust trees removed.
This spring and summer I seem to have little tiny locust trees popping up everywhere on my lawn. When I pull them they are connected to a much larger root.
Obviously the old roots from the larger trees.
How can I stop them from growing? Will the root eventually die?
I have pulled little trees as far 30 to 40 feet away from where the tree was.
Thanks, Jay

[Newt]

Hi Jay,
I have had the same problem with my locust that I removed two years ago. You can grind the stump and that will help to kill the root. Eventually the root will die, but it is attempting to survive by sending up sprouts. Take a look here for another solution.

https://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=50

Newt

[The Helpful Gardener]

Need to be clear that the locust we are dealing with is Robinia, not Gleditsia, the locust found in the nursery industry. Robinia can and will restart from root cuttings, so you need to stay after this. I like to girdle the tree and let it die that way so the roots continue to try and feed the dying tree instead of launching off on their own. And the snag that gets left up provides excellent feeding and habitat for wood peckers. That beats any aesthetic considerations in my book...

Scott

[Sara B]

I haven't removed any locust trees but since you are discussing them, maybe you can help me with a question. I went down to OH last weekend and I noticed that a lot of locust trees have turned brown, like they were blighted. Some other kinds of trees were also but more locusts than any others. Someone suggested it was from the "locust bugs". Would that do it?

[The Helpful Gardener]

This is a Midwest problem, so I'm not familiar with it, but here's some info...

[url]https://www.bostocktree.on.ca/handouts/locustbg.htm[/url]

Scott

[Sara B]

Someone told me it was some kind of beetle. Lot of those nasty things around of one kind or other. The viburnum leaf beetle is giving me headaches now!

[The Helpful Gardener]

Glad that one isn't here yet; here's a web site for PA on the lil' critter...

[url]https://www.ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/viburnum_leaf.htm[/url]
Scott