Hi Carol

I enjoy your Sunday column immensely. Thanks for all the info.

I'd like to know how to get rid of a Brazilian pepper that is too big to dig out.

Thanks in advance for the info.

Sue

Hello Sue,

Brazilian pepper trees can get very large and difficult to deal with. I find that for the largest of them, the "Cut-Stump" method works best. Here is a description of the method from the University of Florida publication "Brazilian Pepper-tree Control" which can be seen at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AA219

"Brazilian pepper-trees can be controlled by cutting them down and treating the stumps with herbicide. A saw should be used to cut the trunk as close to the ground as possible. Within 5 minutes, a herbicide that contains the active ingredient glyphosate or triclopyr should be applied as carefully as possible to the thin layer of living tissue, called the cambium, which is just inside the bark of the stump.

The best time to cut Brazilian pepper-trees is when they are not fruiting, because seeds contained in the fruits have the capability of producing new Brazilian pepper-trees. If Brazilian pepper-trees that have fruits attached are cut, care should be taken not to spread the fruits to locations where they can cause future problems.

Caution: Avoid touching the tree's cambium. A rash can result. Some individuals are very sensitive to touching only the leaves. Use proper protective gear when sawing the tree and applying the herbicides. "

Carol