How to get rid of a Coconut tree?

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Coconut or Cocos Nucifera trees belong to the palm tree family and are usually found in tropical or coastal areas. The Coconut tree is highly prized because of the different uses of its components. Starting from eating its fruit, the leaves are used for making ropes, and its hairs are used for making carpets and clothes.

Let’s take a look at how you can kill a Coconut tree as well as get rid of its root system.

How to kill Coconut trees?

Coconut or Cocos Nucifera can be killed using a variety of methods. A big part of the decision-making process depends on your preference.

Some of these methods are:

  • Foliar Spray
  • Cutting the tree down and treating the stump with Herbicides
  • Gridling or ring barking
  • Basal Bark treatment
  • Injecting the tree with killing chemicals
  • Cut surface treatment

Some of these methods have an interesting approach so I will be writing a more detailed article about how to kill trees discussing the methods mentioned above.

One thing to always keep in mind is that the above methods are only effective in killing the tree, with the exception of Number 2, you will still have to remove the tree once it is dead.

The best way to kill a small Coconut tree

Cocos Nucifera is interesting because even when they are small, their foliage can be above a normal person’s reach. This is because only the top part of this tree has leaves.

In this case, you should use Basal Bark treatment:

  • You should only use this method if the diameter of the tree is less then 6-7 inches.
  • You will need a backpack sprayer and an oil soluble solution of an herbicide. Mix one part herbicide with 4-part oil carrier. (You can use diesel, kerosene or basal oil as an oil-carrier)
  • The best options you can go for is Triclopyr. (Amazon affiliate link) In some states industrial herbicides are alos available, like Garlon 4 Ultra, Relegate, Forestry Garlon XRT, Aligare Trycloper.
  • Spray the bottom 2-3 feet of the bark with this solution and let it dry out. Apply another coat once the previous coating has been absorbed by the tree.

For the smaller varieties of Coconut trees

Although the above method can be used here as well, some varieties of Cocos Nucifera are short throughout their lifespan.

If you are working with a smaller variety, you can simply cut them down and treat the stump with herbicide to prevent further growth. These varieties are usually less than 10 feet tall so you can even cut them down using a handsaw or even a hatchet.

The best way to kill a big Coconut tree

Fully grown Cocos Nucifera can get up to 100 feet tall. Interestingly, many varieties of this species do not grow wider than 7-8 inches in diameter. This technically qualifies them for the Basal Bark treatment which I had discussed above.  

If you were to use the Girdling method on a coconut tree with a thin trunk, the tree can become unstable and will have a high chance of falling down in case of strong winds.

So, it is not recommended that you use girdling here. But in cases where the base is thicker than 8-9 inches, girdling can be used.

Girdling will stop the nutrient flow of the tree, making it really effective method for killing a tree.

steps involved:

  1. Get a hatchet, hammer and chisel or chainsaw for this method.
  2. Simply remove a ring of bark around the entire tree, about 4-8 inches wide.
  3. For extra measure, spray some herbicide along the exposed bark
  4. Within few months, the tree should die.

Alternative method for killing a large coconut tree

Alternatively, you could also use the chemical injection method:

  1. Drill holes 1-2 inches deep along the circumference of the tree.
  2. Inject it with some herbicide like Roundup or Tordon.
  3. The tree will absorb and transport the chemicals across the tree, killing the tree and it’s root system.

See my recommended herbicide list here.

What challenges does the thin trunk of the Coconut tree bring forward?

Because the trunk of the Cocos Nucifera can be small and the height of this species can be 100 ft tall, it makes the entire tree unstable.

One of the challenges would be drilling too many holes or cuts along the base. Considering that coastal regions face a lot of strong winds and storms, this makes the tree prone to falling down.

Can you kill a Coconut without cutting it down?

Yes, you can kill a Cocos Nucifera without cutting it down but it can get tricky with some varieties. Even fully grown trees of some varieties of Cocos Nucifera have diameters less than 7 inches.

You can use methods such as Girdling but you have to be careful. Make sure that the diameter of the tree is more than 8-9 inches if you choose to use methods such as Girdling or Cut Surface Treatment.

Here I have another article on how to kill trees without felling them right away.

Things to consider before removing a tree on your own

Like all trees, Cocos Nucifera trees will start decomposing once they have been killed, which increases their chance of falling down. This is especially dangerous if the tree is located near your house or near power lines. In short, after the tree is dead it should be cut down.

Hire a professional tree removal service

Hiring a professional while dealing with Cocos Nucifera makes more sense when you think about the entire tree removal procedure.

Even if you manage to kill the tree, you will have to arrange to get it cut down, transported.

If you decide to simply get the tree cut down, you should definitely hire a professional to do it. Cutting down trees is risky if you don’t have any experience.

If in case you are dealing with the smaller varieties of Cocos Nucifera which barely grow above 10-11 feet, then it will be possible for you to kill, cut, and remove the tree on your own.

Take a look at my tree removal cost guide to get an idea of how much it’s going to cost for you to get the tree removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you kill Cocos Nucifera roots using boiling water?

Yes, it is possible for you to kill the tree with boiling water. First, you will have to cut the tree down and then drill holes into the tree stump from the top. You can pour boiling water down these holes every other day until the trunk starts to rot.

Which herbicides are most effective on Coconut trees?

The best herbicide for killing a Cocos Nucifera is considered to be Atrazine and Glyphosate. You can also use more popular ones like Roundup or Tordon. See my recommended products here.

Conclusion

The easiest method for killing small coconut trees is considered to be basal bark treatment, while for bigger trees you should inject the tree with herbicides.

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