On paper, a garden or backyard that features the elegant flowers of the oleander shrubs seems like a promising idea. Oleander shrubs are easy to maintain, drought- and heat-resistant, and do well in coastal conditions while sprouting fragrant peach, salmon, pink, white or yellow blossoms. However, Clemson Cooperative Extension points out that oleanders are extremely poisonous and secrete a milky-colored toxin called cardenolide glycosides, which can be fatal if ingested. Use the correct procedures to safely and effectively eradicate oleander shrubs from your property.
Slip on a pair of long rubber gloves, goggles, long-sleeved shirt, long pants and a dust mask. This may seem extreme, but it’s important to avoid coming into contact with any portion of the oleander during removal.
Cut back the stems of the oleander plant until only the stump is visible. Using a sharp pair of pruning shears, carefully cut back the stems and place them into a sturdy plastic garbage bag for disposal. Never burn the oleander’s branches, as the smoke and fumes can cause a severe reaction.
Create cuts that are about 2 inches long and one to three inches apart in the oleander’s stump or stumps with a small hatchet. Fill a small plastic garden spray bottle with a glyphosate herbicide. The Ohio State University Extension recommends applying 1 to 2 milliliters of the herbicide to each cut.
Allow the glyphosate to penetrate the oleander at least seven days before attempting to remove the stump and root ball. The Washington State University warns that reapplication is necessary if rains falls within six hours of initial application and recommends applying the glyphosate in late summer or early fall.
Dig a trench 1 to 2 feet around the stump and deep enough to uncover the entire root ball. Using an ax, cut the stump away from the root ball and then drag the stump away. Cut up the stump with an ax, if necessary, and then dispose of the pieces in a garbage bag.
Lift the root ball from the trench and dispose of it in a garbage bag. Examine the hole and remove any shoots or small chunks of the root ball. Place these pieces into a garbage bag before backfilling the hole with the original soil.
Spray any new growth, or shoots, with a product that contains the active ingredients glyphosate or triclopyr. Read the package directions to determine if the formulation should be diluted or applied straight to the shoots.
Continue to monitor the area for the remainder of the growing season to ensure no shoots return. If any return, spray them with the glyphosate herbicide.
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Things You Will Need
- Long rubber gloves
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Long pants
- Dust mask
- Pruning shears
- Plastic garbage bags
- Small hatchet
- Small plastic bottle
- Glyphosate herbicide
- Triclopyr herbicide
- Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet ingests any part of the oleander bush.
- Wash your hands or skin thoroughly with soap and water if you come into contact with any part of the oleander during removal.
- Clemson Cooperative Extension: Oleander
- University of Minnesota Extension: Removing Trees and Stumps
- The Ohio State University: Controlling Undesirable Trees, Shrubs and Vines in Your Woodland
- International Oleander Society: Information on Oleander Toxicity
- Washington State University Extension: Chemical Control for Woody Plants, Stumps and Trees
- University of Florida Extension: Vanishing Stumps
- Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images