Tag Archives: Milestone

Eradicating Albizia at the Farm

Richard Ha writes:

Albizia trees are a real hazard; we all know by now that the introduced trees, which spread easily, grow up to an inch a day and can get to more than 200 feet, and are very weak and brittle during storms, are what caused such extensive damage during Tropical Storm Iselle. 

I treated all of the albizias on our farm a week ago using the "cane knife and squirt" method. Using a cane knife, you cut four or five slices equal distance around the tree and squirt about 1/5 of a teaspoon of Milestone in each slice.

I find it is easy to hit the tree, and then bend the blade so that it opens up the bark and squirt it in. If I squirt the liquid on the blade, it runs down under the bark very well.

This video shows the technique.

These photos show the trees before and then seven days after treatment. They are starting to turn yellow. Soon all the leaves will fall off. 

7daysafter

7daysafter