How Do You Get Rid Of Crepe Myrtle Roots

You can get rid of crepe myrtle roots by cutting them out physically, using targeted herbicides, or smothering the entire root system.
 
Getting rid of crepe myrtle roots isn’t as simple as chopping down the tree, and if you’ve ever tried, you already know those stubborn roots love to send up new shoots.
 
When you cut down a crepe myrtle, the roots stay alive underground and will keep pushing out suckers for years unless you deal with them directly.
 
In this post, I’m going to walk you through the most effective ways to get rid of crepe myrtle roots, from digging them out to using chemical treatments that actually work.
 
We’ll also cover how to get rid of crepe myrtle roots without killing nearby plants, so you can reclaim your yard without collateral damage.
 
Let’s dig right in.
 

How to Get Rid of Crepe Myrtle Roots: The Direct Approach

The most reliable way to get rid of crepe myrtle roots is to physically remove them from the ground.
 
This method works best when the tree is still standing or freshly cut, because you can access the root ball while it’s still intact.
 
If you’re dealing with a mature crepe myrtle, you’ll need some serious elbow grease and the right tools, but it’s the only way to guarantee those roots won’t come back.
 

1. Dig Out the Root Ball Completely

Start by cutting the crepe myrtle trunk down to about two or three feet above the ground, so you have a sturdy stump to work with.
 
Then, use a sharp shovel to dig a trench around the base, about one to two feet out from the trunk in every direction.
 
You’ll want to expose the major roots that radiate outward, and then use a pruning saw or an axe to sever them cleanly from the root ball.
 
Once you’ve cut the outer roots, you can rock the stump back and forth to loosen the central root mass from the soil.
 
This is where a digging bar or a mattock becomes your best friend, because crepe myrtle roots are thick, woody, and deeply anchored.
 
Keep digging and prying until you can lift the entire root ball out of the hole, and then fill the hole back in with fresh topsoil.
 
This is the most thorough way to get rid of crepe myrtle roots, but it’s also the most physically demanding.
 

2. Use a Stump Grinder for Large Roots

If the idea of hand-digging makes your back ache just thinking about it, a stump grinder is a fantastic alternative.
 
You can rent one from most equipment rental shops, and it will chew through the crepe myrtle roots and stump in a fraction of the time.
 
The grinder’s rotating blade shaves down the stump and the roots just below the soil surface, turning them into wood chips.
 
You should grind down at least six to eight inches below ground level to make sure you’ve removed enough of the root structure to prevent regrowth.
 
After grinding, you’ll have a pile of sawdust and wood chips mixed into the soil, which you can either rake away or leave to decompose naturally.
 
This method is great when you want to get rid of crepe myrtle roots quickly without wrecking your entire yard in the process.
 

3. Pull Out Suckers and Surface Roots Manually

Sometimes you don’t need to remove the whole root system, especially if you’re just dealing with a few pesky suckers popping up.
 
Crepe myrtle roots will send up new shoots everywhere if you have an established tree, and pulling them out might seem like a never-ending battle.
 
However, if you consistently pull or cut the suckers as soon as they appear, the roots will eventually exhaust their stored energy and stop sending up new growth.
 
For surface roots that are creeping into your lawn or flower beds, you can cut them out with a sharp spade and remove as much of the root segment as possible.
 
This won’t kill the entire root system, but it will help you get rid of crepe myrtle roots in specific areas where they’re causing problems.
 

Chemical Methods to Get Rid of Crepe Myrtle Roots

If digging isn’t practical because the tree is too large or the roots have spread too wide, herbicides can be your next best option.
 
These chemicals work by being absorbed into the root system and killing it from the inside out.
 
But you have to use them correctly, or you’ll just end up with a dead stump and a very alive root system.
 

1. Apply Herbicide to a Freshly Cut Stump

The best time to treat crepe myrtle roots with herbicide is immediately after cutting the tree down, because the roots are still actively pulling up water and nutrients.
 
You want to buy a herbicide that contains glyphosate or triclopyr, both of which are effective on woody plants like crepe myrtles.
 
Using a paintbrush, apply a thick layer of the undiluted herbicide to the outer ring of the freshly cut stump, which is where the vascular tissue is.
 
You need to do this within 30 minutes of cutting, because the stump will start to seal over and block absorption.
 
The herbicide will travel down into the roots and kill them over the course of a few weeks, eventually making it much easier to get rid of crepe myrtle roots.
 

2. Drill Holes into the Stump for Deeper Penetration

For larger stumps, you can increase the effectiveness of the herbicide by drilling several holes into the top surface.
 
Use a drill with a half-inch bit and make holes about three to four inches deep, spaced a couple of inches apart.
 
Then, pour the herbicide directly into each hole, filling them to the brim.
 
The idea here is to give the chemical more surface area to soak into, which helps it reach the crepe myrtle roots faster.
 
You might need to reapply the herbicide a few times over several weeks, especially if you notice new shoots appearing near the stump.
 
Once you see no new growth for a few months, the roots are likely dead, and you can dig out the brittle stump and roots with relatively little effort.
 

3. Spray Suckers with Foliar Herbicide

If your crepe myrtle is still standing and you just want to kill the roots without cutting the whole tree down, you can spray the leaves with a foliar herbicide.
 
This method works because the leaves absorb the chemical and send it down to the root system, which then dies off.
 
You’ll want to do this on a calm day when there’s no wind, so the spray doesn’t drift onto your other plants.
 
The downside is that this method takes a while, as you might need to spray multiple times over the growing season.
 
But for those who absolutely can’t dig, this is a solid way to get rid of crepe myrtle roots over time.
 

Natural and Non-Toxic Ways to Get Rid of Crepe Myrtle Roots

Not everyone wants to use harsh chemicals in their garden, and that’s completely understandable.
 
Luckily, there are a couple of more natural methods that can help you get rid of crepe myrtle roots without poisoning the soil.
 

1. Smother the Roots with Mulch or Plastic

This method is all about cutting off the roots’ access to oxygen and sunlight, which will eventually cause them to die.
 
After you cut the crepe myrtle down, cover the stump area and the surrounding ground with a thick layer of black plastic sheeting.
 
Weigh the plastic down with rocks or bricks, and then cover it with mulch or soil so it looks natural.
 
This creates a barrier that blocks new shoots from emerging and also traps heat, cooking the roots over time.
 
It’s not the fastest method, but over the course of a year, you’ll find that the crepe myrtle roots have weakened and died.
 

2. Burn the Stump

Burning is an ancient method that still works incredibly well for getting rid of crepe myrtle roots.
 
You’ll need to drill large holes into the stump and pour some kerosene or charcoal starter into them, letting it soak in for a few days.
 
Then, light a fire on top of the stump and keep it going, adding more wood as needed, until the stump burns down below ground level.
 
The fire will burn through the root structure, turning it into ash and creating a hole that you can fill in with dirt.
 
Just be careful to check your local regulations on open burning and keep a hose nearby in case the fire spreads.
 
This is a very satisfying way to get rid of crepe myrtle roots, but it’s not appropriate for every situation.
 

So, How Do You Get Rid of Crepe Myrtle Roots? The Final Verdict

How do you get rid of crepe myrtle roots? Well, you have several solid options, and the best one depends on your situation.
 
You can get rid of crepe myrtle roots by physically digging them out, and this is the most guaranteed method.
 
You can get rid of crepe myrtle roots using a stump grinder if you want to save your back and your time.
 
You can get rid of crepe myrtle roots with targeted herbicides, which are easy but require patience for the roots to die off.
 
And you can get rid of crepe myrtle roots naturally by smothering them or burning the stump, which avoids chemicals entirely.
 
Whichever path you choose, the key is to be persistent and check back regularly for any new shoots that try to pop up.
 
The roots are tenacious, but they’re not invincible, and with the right approach, you’ll have a clean, crepe myrtle-free yard in no time.