The height where you girdle the tree is flexible, so choose a level at which you’re comfortable working around the trunk and making cuts.

If you’re using an axe or a hatchet where it’s more difficult to make exact horizontal cuts, then you can cut a groove into the tree instead. To make the groove, make one downward-angled cut followed by one upward-angled cut where the two cuts meet in the middle. For small trees, this groove around the circumferences can be as small as 2 inches (5. 1 cm) wide, whereas the groove should be roughly 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) wide on large trees. Make the groove to the same depth as you would the two bands.

Commonly available, effective herbicides include glyphosate (Roundup or Killzall) and triclopyr (Garlon or Brush B Gon). [5] X Research source Please note: The WHO considers glyphosate to be a probable human carcinogen. Its use is prohibited in some states and countries. Please check with your local laws and use caution if handling this chemical. Mix the herbicide appropriately according to the directions on your specific brand and apply to the cuts with a spray bottle. [6] X Research source You should definitely mix the herbicide ahead of time in order to apply it to the girdling cuts as quickly as possible. Read the label entirely before mixing or using herbicides. Wear eye protection, long sleeves and pants, gloves, and closed-toe shoes when working with any herbicide.

Commonly available, effective herbicides include glyphosate (Roundup or Killzall) and triclopyr (Garlon or Brush B Gon). [8] X Research source Wear protective clothing, like safety glasses, long sleeves, and gloves before working with any herbicide.

Make sure you spray in the herbicide immediately before the softer wood in the cut has a chance to start drying out and hardening. Your specific brand of herbicide will instruct you regarding how much herbicide to spray into each cut. Various specially made injectors are also available for this purpose if you need to treat several trees.

Wear safety glasses, gloves, and long sleeves before working with the herbicides.

For large trees, consider hiring a professional to cut down the tree for you.

For smaller trees, you can simply coat the entire cross section of the trunk. For large trees, the hardened middle section of the tree will not absorb any herbicide, so you can simply coat a band of the herbicide around the outermost ring where you can still see the lighter-colored sapwood. [11] X Research source