How To Kill A Crepe Myrtle Stump

To kill a crepe myrtle stump, you’ll need to combine physical removal with chemical treatment or smothering to stop it from regrowing.

The crepe myrtle is a tough ornamental tree, and when you cut it down, the stump doesn’t just die on its own.

Instead, the root system stays alive, and you’ll often see suckers sprouting up all around the base.

If you’re wondering how to kill a crepe myrtle stump effectively, the process is straightforward but takes a little patience.

You can tackle the job with a few tools, some herbicide, or just a heavy tarp.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the best methods to kill a crepe myrtle stump, so you can reclaim your yard.

Let’s dive in.

Why You Need To Kill A Crepe Myrtle Stump

A crepe myrtle stump isn’t just an eyesore, it’s an active growing organism.

When you cut the trunk, the roots below still store energy, and they’ll fight to push out new growth.

You need to kill a crepe myrtle stump because it will keep sending up shoots for years if left alone.

These suckers can pop up several feet away from the original stump, making a mess of your lawn or flower beds.

The roots are also quite hardy, and they can crack sidewalks or invade nearby pipes if left unchecked.

So if you’ve already cut down the tree, learning how to kill a crepe myrtle stump is the only way to permanently eliminate the problem.

Here’s a quick reality check: just cutting the stump flush with the ground won’t do the trick.

You have to actively kill the root system to prevent regrowth.

1. Fresh Stumps Are Easier To Treat

If you’ve just cut the tree, you’re in the best position to kill a crepe myrtle stump quickly.

Fresh cuts mean the stump is still full of moisture, and the transport system is still active.

This allows herbicides to soak deep into the wood and travel down to the roots.

If you wait too long, the stump will dry out, and the outer ring will seal over.

That makes it much harder to kill a crepe myrtle stump because chemicals can’t penetrate the dried surface.

So act soon after cutting, ideally within 30 minutes to a few hours.

Pro Tip: If the cut surface is already dry, simply re-cut it with a chainsaw to expose fresh wood.

You’ll get a much better result that way.

2. The Root System Is Aggressive

The crepe myrtle’s root system is fibrous and wide-spreading.

It doesn’t just grow straight down, it branches out laterally just below the soil line.

This is why you see suckers everywhere when you first cut the tree down.

To kill a crepe myrtle stump, you need to starve these roots of energy and moisture.

If you just let the stump sit, those roots will keep feeding off stored starches.

That’s why smothering and chemical control are your two best friends in this battle.

Best Methods To Kill A Crepe Myrtle Stump

You have three solid options when it comes to how to kill a crepe myrtle stump: chemical treatment, smothering, or complete physical removal.

Each method works, but they each have their own pros and cons.

Let’s break them down so you can pick the right one for your yard.

1. Using Herbicide To Kill A Crepe Myrtle Stump

The most reliable way to kill a crepe myrtle stump is with a dedicated stump killer herbicide.

Look for products containing glyphosate or triclopyr, which are specially formulated for woody plants.

You’ll want to drill several holes into the top of the stump, about an inch deep and spaced a few inches apart.

Fill those holes with the herbicide, then also paint the entire cut surface with the chemical.

Important: Always follow the label instructions for the specific product you buy.

You’ll need to apply the herbicide on a dry day with no rain expected for at least 24 hours.

This allows the chemical to soak in fully.

Within a few weeks, you’ll notice the stump starting to dry out, and no new suckers will appear.

Key Point: You should also treat the exposed roots around the stump with the same herbicide to kill a crepe myrtle stump completely.

When to Apply: The best time to use herbicide is in late summer or early fall.

That’s when the tree is moving nutrients down to its roots for winter storage, so the chemical gets pulled down faster.

2. Smothering The Stump With A Tarp

If you want to avoid chemicals, you can kill a crepe myrtle stump by cutting off its oxygen and light.

Start by cutting the stump as low to the ground as possible.

Then, cover it with a thick black plastic tarp, a large trash bag, or a metal bucket.

Weigh down the edges with rocks, bricks, or landscaping staples so air can’t get in.

Without sunlight, the stump can’t photosynthesize, and without oxygen, the roots slowly suffocate.

Expect This: This method takes time, often 6-12 months before the stump fully rots.

It works best if you also pile soil or mulch on top of the tarp to blend it into the landscape.

This won’t kill a crepe myrtle stump overnight, but it is a safe, organic approach.

Warning: Be patient with this method.

If you peek at the stump too early, you’ll let air back in, and the roots might revive.

3. Physical Removal With A Stump Grinder

If you have the equipment or the budget, grinding the stump out is the fastest solution.

A stump grinder will chew the wood down to about 8-12 inches below the soil line.

This physically removes the bulk of the stump and makes it impossible for it to grow back.

For this to truly kill a crepe myrtle stump, you’ll need to remove the larger lateral roots too.

You can dig them out with a mattock and cut them with an axe or saw.

Note: You can rent a stump grinder from most home improvement stores for a half-day.

It’s dusty and noisy work, but it gives you instant gratification.

After grinding, you can fill the hole with topsoil and plant grass or flowers right away.

This is the most definitive way to kill a crepe myrtle stump, and it’s done in a single afternoon.

Natural Ways To Kill A Crepe Myrtle Stump

If you prefer a DIY approach without machinery, you can use household ingredients.

Though these natural methods might require more elbow grease and longer wait times.

1. Boiling Water

Pouring boiling water directly onto a fresh stump can scald the cambium layer, which is the living ring just under the bark.

This will set back the stump and kill a crepe myrtle stump if the stump is small or young.

You’ll need to pour a large pot of boiling water over the cut surface and the exposed roots.

Do this a few times over a couple of days for better results.

It’s not as effective as chemical herbicide, but it’s safe for pets and the environment.

2. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt dries out the wood and draws out moisture from the stump.

To use it, drill deep holes into the stump and fill them with Epsom salt.

Then, wet the salt with a little water to help it dissolve slowly.

Cover the stump with a tarp to keep the rain from washing the salt away.

Over several months, the salt will dehydrate the stump, making it brittle and dead.

This is a cheap, non-toxic way to kill a crepe myrtle stump, but it’s very slow.

3. Burning The Stump

If you have a wood-burning fire pit, you can turn the stump into a slow-burn fire.

This is risky, so keep a hose nearby and check your local burn laws first.

Drill large holes into the top of the stump and fill them with kerosene or charcoal.

Safety First: Never leave the fire unattended, and only do this if the stump is far from buildings or trees.

Burning can kill a crepe myrtle stump effectively, but the fire will rage for hours.

Once it cools down, the remaining charred wood can be smashed apart with a sledgehammer.

So, How To Kill A Crepe Myrtle Stump For Good?

To kill a crepe myrtle stump for good, you have to target the roots, not just the wood you see.

The quickest method is using a stump-killing herbicide on a fresh cut.

The simplest is smothering it with a tarp.

The most thorough is grinding it out below ground level.

Each technique will kill a crepe myrtle stump depending on your timeline and how much effort you want to invest.

We’ve covered the main ways to get rid of that stubborn stump, so you can pick the one that fits your yard.

Now you know exactly how to kill a crepe myrtle stump and stop those suckers from coming back.