Question
Hi, I live in Boulder/Denver, Colorado and I have these trees that I call weeds because they sprout up everywhere and unless controlled, grow very quickly into trees.  I love the environment, don't necessarily want to use pesticides but I am done with these things.  We actually cut some down but now the trunks are sprouting.  And we still have some sprouting from the ground around our land.  What do you recommend to get rid of them?  At this point, I'm willing to use pesticides if need be.  And I don't care if it damages the remaining trees that we haven't cut down yet.  Any ideas?

Answer
the problem is that some species react to different herbicides and one herbicide will kill a tree but others may not be effected. An overall herbicide that should have an effect on the sprouts is Roundup. I would wipe the leaves of the sprouts with the Roundup solution. Wet a rag and use this to wipe the leaves. Use a 2% solution check the label on the container for mixing instruction OR you can get a RTU (ready to use) Roundup. Roundup can be sprayed on the leaves BUT beware that Roundup will kill most green plants and if there are plants under the sprouts that are not wanted to be killed the wiping will be best --if not just spray the leaves. I would use plastic gloves since the Roundup does have a slight odor and this will keep it off your hands. Roundup is very safe and will not harm you if you do get it on the hands.

Roundup will be absorbed into the leaves and transported to the roots killing the sprout at the root.