Thank you all for your time and input! I am going to look into those two chemicals mentioned 2,4-D and Tordon RTU to purchase and treat the stumps with. I'm guessing that if I cut the stumps that are already cut down lower and treat it should work the same as if they were freshly cut down. We shall see. As far as the ones I haven't cut down yet....if they are over 4" in diameter why is it not recommended to cut them down? They are too tall for me to trim anything. If you have dealt with them you know how they shoot for the stars! And yes, those lovely thorns that eat lawnmower tires and arms and legs, etc:) And all the crap that falls in my pond from them, which is why I want to cut them down:) My pond has other issues besides the black locust but not sure if this is the place to bring them up. Have murky water and can't see my fish but know they are in there because we fished some bass and blue gill and sunny from a friends pond and dumped them in and have no floaters. The bass were about f10-12" and I have noticed a decrease in the frog population. Also, I have NO growth which leads me to believe that my water is acidic and will have to have it tested. I am thinking that I will need to add lime and that will settle it and sweeten it up. I have tall grasses around the East side where the sun hits all the time but not in the shaded areas. There is brush and trees all the way to edge of pond on those 3 sides where the trees are. Should I let more sun get to the pond or what? I have sooo many questions and issues with my pond. Also, the water has a faint smell to it sometimes when my dogs are swimming near the edge. Also, have killed 3 snapping turtles in the road but have not seen any in, near, or around my pond but they must be there? There are quite a few ponds nearby. Whew. I could go on and on.