Cut Stump/Cut and Paint

When using herbicides, handling and cleaning procedures should be undertaken in accordance with the label and the herbicide’s Safety Data Sheet. Safety Data Sheets are made available by the manufacturer. Read the label before opening the container and follow the instructions exactly. Always wear protective clothing when using chemicals.

Cut stump is a useful technique when the infestation is not large and the plants are too big to hand pull. Ensure the plant does not have any aerial tubers that could fall and grow.

Tools: a knife, secateurs, loppers or  saw and dabber or other chemical applicator. It is a good idea to put a dye in with the chemical so you can see where you have applied it.

With a flat cut, cut the stem or trunk as close to the ground as possible, below any branching stems or side shoots. Apply herbicide to the exposed vascular tissue within 30 seconds after beginning the cut, even less if possible. This allows the chemical to be drawn down into the roots once the stem is cut.

The vascular part of the plant is the growing part on the outside of the stem or trunk. If it is only a small area, apply chemical to the whole stem.

Pink dye indicates where chemical has been applied to the vascular part of the plant.

If the plant has aerial tubers which will drop and germinate if the plant is disturbed too much, and the stem is too small to be frilled with a chisel, but can be scraped without cutting through, scrape along the stem of the plant for approximately 15 cm to expose vascular tissue and then apply chemical within less than 30 seconds after the beginning of the scrape.

Once chemical is applied, do not take any further action or disturb the plan until it is completely dead. Any plant material that may have seed or could resprout should be removed and disposed of responsibly. Ensure any material left does not increase the local fire hazard.