Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Controlling unwanted plants Eradicating Willow

My 2.5-3 acre pond has been neglected in terms of shore growth. This has led to a lot of willow trees that are 25ft or so tall. The small island in the main body of the pond also has the same issue. I would like to remove 90% of it. Cutting it only leads to a lot of bushy re-growth. Does anyone know of a bio-safe product to either spray on entire trees, or more preferably paint on stumps?

I've killed trees and kept them from re-sprouting by painting woody brush killer (from Tractor Supply) full strength on the stumps after the trees were cut down. I haven't tried it on willow tho.

Yep, Ortho Brush Killer, probably same as TSC painted on newly cut stub will kill them. It is Triclopyr complex salt. Glyphosate will do the same, as will 2-4-D on most small trees. The Triclopyr will probably do best, since willow it tough to kill. You will still have to spray or paint leaves as the roots will keep producing shoots. You will eventually get ahead of it.

I'm killing dozens of junk willows now. Somebody planted them right on the shore and then they thought they could just cut them down and die, and massive willow bushes blocking entire shore cameback. I wish I could post photos. The bushes I am cutting down and will backhoe stumps in Spring and let them die then sink them. The big over 20" stumps I cut down to ground, bore in 1" or wider holes and load them up with killer and cover them with soil. If anything emerges I spray in Spring and repeatedly until dead. Bear in mind willows carry rooting hormone all thru them. Even 1/2 branches will root if left to lay in soil. I dry them out and into burn pits. Extreme bad choice in trees, location and quantity.