Killing a tree??

[linapuddles]

Hi guys,
I'm a translator looking for some language help.
I need to know the correct term for killing a tree...I'm translating from portuguese to English and they say "abate" which means to "put down" somehow this doesn't sound right in English not for a tree anyway . Please can someone tell me the correct term.

Thanks so much.

[Kisal]

I have always just heard the process referred to as "killing." I suppose you could say "removing," except your readers might get the idea that the tree is to be replanted elsewhere.

Of course, you could speak of the specific method to be used. When used in context, it might be clear that the tree will die if it is sprayed with an herbicide, girdled, or just cut down.

[bewildered_nmsu]

If "abate-put down" means to cut down, then the English verb for that is "to fell".