Managing Plant Growth: Slowing Down or Stopping Growth with Chemicals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around managing the growth of hedges and shrubs, specifically exploring the possibility of using chemicals to slow down or stop their growth. Participants consider various methods, including mechanical trimming and the implications of chemical use.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification, Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the use of chemicals to slow or stop plant growth, mentioning a specific interest in a product similar to those used for grass.
  • Another participant expresses concern about using chemicals, citing potential environmental harm and unforeseen consequences.
  • Some participants suggest mechanical alternatives, such as using a long hedge trimmer or pole pruner, to manage the hedges without removing them entirely.
  • There is a mention of the difficulty of using chemicals effectively on well-established hedges, with one participant noting that herbicides might be too harsh.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of considering the slope of the area, as chemicals could run downhill and affect other plants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that using chemicals may not be the best approach due to potential environmental impacts, and they lean towards mechanical solutions. However, there is no consensus on the effectiveness or safety of any specific chemical methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the availability and effectiveness of chemical solutions, and there is a lack of specific product recommendations. The discussion also highlights the challenges posed by the physical environment, such as the slope where the hedges are located.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in gardening, landscape management, or those facing similar challenges with plant growth may find this discussion relevant.

kateman
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I have this headge of a few shurbs/tress growing around my home. However this headge is now infringing on my view over a beautiful hillside and I don't want to remove them because they really compliment the surrounding area. I can't cut them because they are reasonably tall and grow on a slope - making it very difficult for me to cut them back without spending a lot of money on professional gardeners to come in.

My question is; Is there a way to slow down the growth of the plants or completely stop them by adding some form of chemical on them?
I have heard of something similar for grass but I am not sure what it would be called, where I could buy it or if I could make it myself.

All help is appreciated :)
 
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I know that you are probably well-intentioned in this matter. But in my opinion you shouldn't dabble with chemicals in that way, it destroys the surroundings and can have very unforseen consequences.

I think you should take a picture of the hedges and maybe we can devise a way to cut them down without taking them out completely. Probably you can buy a very long hedge trimmer to trim them.
 
Fearless said:
I know that you are probably well-intentioned in this matter. But in my opinion you shouldn't dabble with chemicals in that way, it destroys the surroundings and can have very unforseen consequences.

I think you should take a picture of the hedges and maybe we can devise a way to cut them down without taking them out completely. Probably you can buy a very long hedge trimmer to trim them.

I agree, especially if they are on a slope and any chemical could run downhill to affect the plant below them. I don't know of anything that would work particularly well anyway, short of an herbicide to completely kill the plant off (and that would even be tough on a well-established hedge).

You should be able to get some sort of trimmer on a pole, such as are used to reach tree branches. You can prune back hedges pretty severely without killing them too, so you really don't need to be all that careful about what you're trimming on them.
 
yeah, you guys are probably right

i'll have to look into some other alternative. Perhaps a gardening warehouse will have a decent suggestion on one of these long reach trimmers

thanks for your time!
 
you must tell us about what happened to your hedges ^^
 

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