Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree?

Babs · 02-08-2008, 13:27

Is it possible? Or at least stop it flowering?

Got one across the road from my house, and kids have started throwing large metal bars into it (and since the tree will drop heafty Conkers in October, I haven't a clue as to why they're doing anything in August...).

In the past, kids have caused damage to to flats next to the tree (they've put several windows in) and caused damage to cars parked along the road.

The council have been informed of the problem by all in the street for years and they do nothing, last year they came by and cut a few branches off but as you can expect that's done nothing. The council Rangers are useless and the Police say the same thing - it's the Council's problem.

So... any ideas?

Bigw2069 · 02-08-2008, 13:42

Hammer some copper nails into the trunk.

tdirob · 02-08-2008, 13:46

That's what I was going to suggest for killing the tree.

It works quite well (and they'll never know it was you)

Duggie · 02-08-2008, 13:49

Yep, Copper nails work for killing any tree.

Babs · 02-08-2008, 13:51

Righteo... cheers guys

redbaron · 02-08-2008, 14:20

it is of course a criminal offence.

Tom_vRS · 02-08-2008, 14:23

I've got a nice compressor and nail gun, so you can do it from your window!

Babs · 02-08-2008, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_vRS

I've got a nice compressor and nail gun, so you can do it from your window!

As good as that sounds... I think I'd get carried away and shoot the b*astard kids too....

Octygone · 02-08-2008, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babs

As good as that sounds... I think I'd get carried away and shoot the b*astard kids too....

And the problem is?

Babs · 02-08-2008, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octygone

And the problem is?

The smell of rotting children

slider · 02-08-2008, 15:08

**mannyo** · 02-08-2008, 15:56

Doing anything to the tree to kill it, is as already pointed out a criminal offence and carries a large fine.

If the tree is on public land then it will be owned by the local council. and may well have a TPO on it, if it does then the fine is much larger.

ric04vrs · 02-08-2008, 16:03

can someone explain how copper nails can kill trees

is it something in the copper ?

Kandy · 02-08-2008, 16:45

A single copper nail is unlikely to cause any harm - it's an urban myth!

Bigw2069 · 02-08-2008, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Science Boffin

Yes, if the nail is big enough to harm the base of the tree. It can open an
entry for infection and disease. You also need to consider how big is the
nail and the tree. Driving a copper nail has physical, chemical, and
biological actions playing together. If the tree dies, it will not be easy
to know precisely what the main cause was acting. Copper as a metallic form
is not harmfull to tree nutrition. It needs to oxidize, to solubilize and
then be absorbed. Absorption of copper at the bark level may not occur, while
high levels of copper ion in the soil rooting system may lead to toxicity. Many
species of trees also will respond differently to this stress related to
nails in their bases. In biology we do not play yes/no answer!

..

Taxi 219 · 02-08-2008, 16:56

oilburninnut · 02-08-2008, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigw2069

..

again does someone want to explain how copper nails kill trees

Kandy · 02-08-2008, 18:36

1 copper nail in a horsechestnut = no result.

Any nail or minor injury (e.g. a twig breaking off in the wind) is just as likely to cause death in the unlikely event a serious pathogen entered before the wound sealed.

Copper salts are toxic in high doses - but as saplings trees are sometimes reared in copper lined containers!

The only realistic way a copper nail will harm a tree is if it is nearly as wide as the tree is!

micndiesel · 02-08-2008, 18:37

Hi im arborist be careful if you think of doing anything to a tree even if you think you own it

The courts have powers to fine anyone contravening a TPO. The maximum fines are £20,000 for destroying a tree and up to £2,500 for anyone who does not completely destroy a tree but has carried out some other works without consent. It is no defence for a defendant to plead that they were unaware that a TPO existed on a particular tree unless the Council were the cause of such ignorance.

weve nearly be fined for making safe storm damage on our own land depending on the councils they can be very strict unless it suits them

smstext · 03-08-2008, 09:26

wouldnt strong weedkiller do anything as that always says keep away from plants, animals and children.

slider · 03-08-2008, 09:42

lots of ordinary nails hammered in to the but of a cut down tree that is starting to re-sprout will kill it off ad make the butt rot quick

loskie · 03-08-2008, 17:33

Drill a few holes into it and inject Roundup (Agricultural Grade not the watered down garden centre stuff) into it.

Highly illegal and quite immoral I would imagine.

heresmo · 03-08-2008, 17:52

It does puzzle me why kids would be throwing bars into the tree before any conkers had arrived since they wouldn't fall (even with a bar) unless "ripe". (Talking of conkers here of course.) Isn't it just bog standard vandalism?

Might be better off letting them attack the tree if they have bars - thinking that if it's chopped down, there might be a car or two for them to practise their baseball swings on... (Sorry tree.)

Mo

Blade404 · 03-08-2008, 17:57

Which is frowned upon more.. killing the tree or the kids?

Babs · 03-08-2008, 17:57

I gave them a stern talking to, which surprisingly they listened to!

Just gotta see how long it takes for them to "forget"...

02-08-2008, 13:27	#1
Babs Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newport/Preston Posts: 4,153 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS Thanks: 216 Thanked 139 Times in 123 Posts	Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Is it possible? Or at least stop it flowering? Got one across the road from my house, and kids have started throwing large metal bars into it (and since the tree will drop heafty Conkers in October, I haven't a clue as to why they're doing anything in August...). In the past, kids have caused damage to to flats next to the tree (they've put several windows in) and caused damage to cars parked along the road. The council have been informed of the problem by all in the street for years and they do nothing, last year they came by and cut a few branches off but as you can expect that's done nothing. The council Rangers are useless and the Police say the same thing - it's the Council's problem. So... any ideas? __________________ - Andrew Octavia vRS For Sale / Bosch Rotary Polisher For Sale

02-08-2008, 13:42	#2
Bigw2069 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rosyth,Scotland Posts: 5,665 Members Car: Noddy Car Thanks: 211 Thanked 230 Times in 191 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Hammer some copper nails into the trunk. __________________

02-08-2008, 13:46	#3
tdirob Briskodian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wrexham Posts: 1,193 Members Car: Golf GT TDi Thanks: 25 Thanked 34 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? That's what I was going to suggest for killing the tree. It works quite well (and they'll never know it was you) __________________ Golf GT TDI - Standard (at the minute)

02-08-2008, 13:49	#4
Duggie Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 394 Members Car: Skoda Fabia 1.4 MPI Thanks: 11 Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Yep, Copper nails work for killing any tree. __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today. Jabbasport rear ARB... (HELL YEAH) Weitec V1 coilovers. Vrs 16' Alloy Wheels. Forge Front Strut Brace. Sidestrips off. Colour coded front grille. Alpine IVA-D105R headunit twinned with a Novex bandpass sub enclosure 2X12 inch subs and a Fusion 1000W amp. Hornet Maxx1 auto alarm.

02-08-2008, 13:51	#5
Babs Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newport/Preston Posts: 4,153 Members Car: Skoda Octavia vRS Thanks: 216 Thanked 139 Times in 123 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Righteo... cheers guys __________________ - Andrew Octavia vRS For Sale / Bosch Rotary Polisher For Sale

02-08-2008, 14:20	#6
redbaron Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 9,566 Members Car: Thanks: 15 Thanked 70 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? it is of course a criminal offence. __________________ ________________________________________ Some times I just feel like smiling.

02-08-2008, 14:23	#7
Tom_vRS Briskodaholic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Fenland, Cambridgeshire Posts: 11,542 Members Car: '97R BMW 328i Saloon Thanks: 679 Thanked 433 Times in 310 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? I've got a nice compressor and nail gun, so you can do it from your window! __________________ 97/R BMW 328i in Boston Green.

02-08-2008, 15:08	#11
slider Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 683 Members Car: Octavia Elegance 1.9tdi DSG Thanks: 7 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? __________________ The man with no sig thingy BMW 118d M Sport Past cars - OctaviaII 1.9TDI DSG, OctaviaI 1.9 TDi, Focus TD Est, Rover 418 TD, Montego TD, Cavalier D, Astra 1.3, Escort Mexico Mk1 (still to be beaten for fun), Viva 1.3, Simca 1100

02-08-2008, 15:56	#12
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,467 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 359 Times in 330 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Doing anything to the tree to kill it, is as already pointed out a criminal offence and carries a large fine. If the tree is on public land then it will be owned by the local council. and may well have a TPO on it, if it does then the fine is much larger. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

02-08-2008, 16:03	#13
ric04vrs I parked up 1st Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: not near enough to the Ring Posts: 6,165 Members Car: silver Fabia VRS Thanks: 31 Thanked 188 Times in 182 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? can someone explain how copper nails can kill trees is it something in the copper ? __________________ not so bored now

02-08-2008, 16:45	#14
Kandy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 582 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? A single copper nail is unlikely to cause any harm - it's an urban myth!

02-08-2008, 16:56	#16
Taxi 219 Not anymore Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 2,245 Members Car: Octavia TDi 2006 Thanks: 107 Thanked 110 Times in 107 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? __________________ Car now: 56 Octavia MK2 1.9TDi Ambiente-Debadged-Metallic Flamenco Red DMF Reqiured soon Previous: 06 Octavia Mk1 1.9TDi Classic with + pack-Diamond Silver Sadly missed: 97 Nissan Primera 2.0TDi SLX- Red Paul I only live for GTA IV

02-08-2008, 18:36	#18
Kandy Briskodian Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 582 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? 1 copper nail in a horsechestnut = no result. Any nail or minor injury (e.g. a twig breaking off in the wind) is just as likely to cause death in the unlikely event a serious pathogen entered before the wound sealed. Copper salts are toxic in high doses - but as saplings trees are sometimes reared in copper lined containers! The only realistic way a copper nail will harm a tree is if it is nearly as wide as the tree is!

02-08-2008, 18:37	#19
micndiesel Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: nottingham Posts: 121 Members Car: octavia vrs Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Hi im arborist be careful if you think of doing anything to a tree even if you think you own it The courts have powers to fine anyone contravening a TPO. The maximum fines are £20,000 for destroying a tree and up to £2,500 for anyone who does not completely destroy a tree but has carried out some other works without consent. It is no defence for a defendant to plead that they were unaware that a TPO existed on a particular tree unless the Council were the cause of such ignorance. weve nearly be fined for making safe storm damage on our own land depending on the councils they can be very strict unless it suits them __________________ 360 gamertag:micndiesel psn gamertag :micndiesel Last edited by micndiesel; 02-08-2008 at 18:39. Reason: spelling mistake

03-08-2008, 09:26	#20
smstext 2.0 FSI Sport. Join Date: May 2007 Location: oxon Posts: 9,650 Members Car: Octavia Mk2 FSI Sport Thanks: 11 Thanked 302 Times in 270 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? wouldnt strong weedkiller do anything as that always says keep away from plants, animals and children. __________________ Oxon Meet Feeler 2009 please add your input, click here

03-08-2008, 09:42	#21
slider Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Scottish Borders Posts: 683 Members Car: Octavia Elegance 1.9tdi DSG Thanks: 7 Thanked 19 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? lots of ordinary nails hammered in to the but of a cut down tree that is starting to re-sprout will kill it off ad make the butt rot quick __________________ The man with no sig thingy BMW 118d M Sport Past cars - OctaviaII 1.9TDI DSG, OctaviaI 1.9 TDi, Focus TD Est, Rover 418 TD, Montego TD, Cavalier D, Astra 1.3, Escort Mexico Mk1 (still to be beaten for fun), Viva 1.3, Simca 1100

03-08-2008, 17:33	#22
loskie Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 189 Members Car: Octavia SLX tdi Estate/Mk3 MX5 2.0 sport Thanks: 1 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Drill a few holes into it and inject Roundup (Agricultural Grade not the watered down garden centre stuff) into it. Highly illegal and quite immoral I would imagine.

03-08-2008, 17:52	#23
heresmo Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,554 Members Car: Thanks: 50 Thanked 143 Times in 123 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? It does puzzle me why kids would be throwing bars into the tree before any conkers had arrived since they wouldn't fall (even with a bar) unless "ripe". (Talking of conkers here of course.) Isn't it just bog standard vandalism? Might be better off letting them attack the tree if they have bars - thinking that if it's chopped down, there might be a car or two for them to practise their baseball swings on... (Sorry tree.) Mo __________________

03-08-2008, 17:57	#24
Blade404 ASBO-less Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The land of smoke & mirrors Posts: 4,230 Members Car: Black Focus Thanks: 80 Thanked 95 Times in 67 Posts	Re: Killing a Horse-Chestnut Tree? Which is frowned upon more.. killing the tree or the kids? __________________ One brush to tar them all! Ford Focus Titanium in Panther Black For information about joining the briskoda.net folding team click here..

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