A banana tree has an interesting but short lifespan.
The unique pseudostem and majestic leaves of this tropical fruit-bearing tree make it an excellent addition to any home landscape. And who doesn’t enjoy a nice loaf of banana bread made of fresh bananas from the backyard?
Unfortunately, banana trees die after they are harvested. So, sooner or later, you will need this guide to learn how to destroy banana tree permanently if you have one in your yard.
3 Ways To Destroy A Banana Tree Permanently
1. Felling And Digging
If you are dealing with a mature and healthy banana tree, you can use a sharp ax or hand saw to cut it at the base. However, felling the tree is not enough as banana trees can send up shoots even after being cut.
That said, you must identify and remove suckers and shoots sprouting around the base as these can grow into new trees. Digging out the stump, rhizomes, and roots is the best way to prevent new growth. Furthermore, you must keep a close eye on the area over the next few weeks and remove any new shoots that appear.
2. Using A Herbicide
Instead of digging out the stump and surrounding soil, you can apply glyphosate or other herbicides on the freshly cut surface. However, you will probably need to cut new sprouts and reapply the herbicide as these chemicals take about a few weeks to stop new growth.
Also, remember that felling a pest-infested banana tree without treating it first can spread the disease to other plants in the vicinity. That said, you must inject a herbicide into the tree trunk and wait about five to six weeks for the tree to die. You can then destroy the tree by felling and digging.
3. Using Kerosene
If you don’t want to use herbicides, you may use kerosene to kill a banana tree. For this, you first need to cut the banana plant or tree at the base, gouge holes around the stem, and pour kerosene down the holes. Although cheap and effective, kerosene may not be suitable for residential areas.
Final Words
A banana tree takes about nine months to start bearing fruit, after which it dies. However, each tree leaves behind small shoots that can grow into new trees. Considering how the process of removing the dead trees can be a nuisance, not everyone is eager to grow banana trees in their yard.Â
So, whether you are getting rid of invasive banana shoots coming in from the neighbor’s lawn or clearing your yard for other purposes, my guide can help you. And remember, you must dig out and treat the roots and shoots once you have felled the tree to prevent new growth.Â
In other words, the key to permanently destroying banana trees is to get to the root of the problem — quite literally.Â