Native to KOBE 9 Madagascar, where frosts don’t occur and the soil is warm and fast draining, the pencil plant (Euphorbia tirucalli) matures into a small, succulent tree up to 25 feet tall. In the United States, it may also be colloquially known as Indian tree spurge, finger plant, pencil cactus or sticks on fire. Tolerant of heat, dry and impoverished soils, pencil plant easily survives in an abandoned or low maintenance garden. Killing Air Jordan 20s and removing it is treacherous and labor intensive, as it will sprout from any lingering roots or Nike KD 7 stem fragments left on the ground.

Cut the main trunk or stems of the pencil plant to a height of 3 to 6 inches above the soil. On a small, shrubby plant, a pruning saw should readily cut through the stem. If the pencil plant is a small tree, a chainsaw will quickly and cleanly cut the trunk, minimizing labor. Diminish any contact with the fleshy leaves on the plant, as any break will drip the toxic sap, potentially creating a more hazardous and slippery work environment. Cut side branches away only to improve access; the fewer the cuts and sap bleeding areas, the better.

Because pencil plant’s leaves and stems are waxy, herbicides are rendered ineffective. Focus on physical removal of the plant and as Air Jordan 17s much of the root system as Air Jordan 9s possible.

Large sized pencil plants may be too much work to dig and remove, especially if the root system is large and wedged in between rocks, curbing or sidewalks. Contract a licensed and bonded arborist or landscaper along with his arsenal of equipment and staff to handle the cutting, disposal and digging up of the root ball.

A less labor intensive, non chemical way to kill the pencil plant once the stems are removed is to smother the plant so that no light can reach it. Cover it with thick black plastic, plywood, a dense mulch layer or a wooden box. This prevents sprouts from photosynthesizing light and growing. Eventually, the root system starves and dies. A waterlogged soil also will kill the roots, but if done incorrectly, will promote regrowth if soil isn’t saturated enough.