Cedar tree sprouting epidemic

[BNB]

We have this cabin out in the country and have never had this problem before. All of the sudden this year cedars are popping up all over the front yard. The roots of these things go pretty deep. Is there an easy way of getting rid of them, or do we just have to dig them out?

About 25 years ago we rid the place of stickers by digging all of them up by the root every year and we finally got rid of them all, but I was 7 with alot more energy and it sucked back then.

 

[NickDanger]

Just cut them off at the surface with some lopping shears.

 

[jmrob93]

cedar won't come back like the unkillable tallow tree

 

[politically correct horn]

Problem solved.

 

[beckenham]

John Graves suggests using crank case oil to kill cedar growth. Apparently it worked for him on his land. I am not sure exactly what you do with it. I suppose you would cut and then pour it on the stump or something.

I am sure the greens will love you doing it, as well.

 

[Woland]

At the Selah Ranch, where they have made clearing cedar a priority, the weapon of choice is the lopper.

 

[Mrmyke709]

It's from all the Spring rains.
And ash juniper spreads like crazy in the Hill Country.

 

[Kahuna]

I had about 10 acres cleared of cedars in 2000. By this winter I had pretty strong re-growth of the damn cedar (from sprouts up to saplings). Over the course of the winter and spring I was able to clear them all out through a combination of pulling (sprouts) and clipping (saplings). It was an easy job to do, while being outdoors with the Horns basketball and then baseball on the portable radio. Maybe a few Anchor porters iced down too.

The cedar around Austin will not grow back if they are cut flush to ground level. I've heard that the cedar in East Texas (the variety with the straight trunks that is used in furniture making) will regrow from the roots.

Don't use a bunch of chemicals to fight cedar. It dies too easily. Diesel or oil will sterilize your soil so nothing will grow in it.

 

[TexasEd]

Controlled burning works too.

Make sure you are prepared, it isn't something you should take lightly. It is too dry this time of year.