Question
How and when is the best time to kill a Meliluka tree?
We live in Florida and the trees are on the bank of a drainage canal. The trees are 6-8 ft. tall and 4-6 inches. in diameter. Thank you very much.

Answer
There are a couple of ways to kill melaleuca, both involve the use of a herbicide. One is using what is referred to as the hack and squirt method. With a hatchet cut through the bark into the wood all the way around the diameter of the tree and squirt a herbicide called Roundup in these cuts. the tree will take up the Roundup into the root system killing the tree. Make the cuts about two feet from the ground all the way around the trunk diameter.
Another way is to cut the trees completely down and paint Roundup on the freshly cut stump--roots will be killed as the tree transports the herbicide. Use Roundup non diluted from the container in both cases.

You can even spray the foliage of the tree and kill it this way. Use Roundup in water and spray the foliage. On larger trees this is difficult to cover all the foliage. AND if the Roundup spray gets on other green plant it will kill them also. The hack and squirt and the cut stump method is the safest for homeowners.

The best time is now in the spring since the sap is moving in the plants.

Here is a web link to more information on treating melaleuca and videos on the methods. http://tame.ifas.ufl.edu/management/chemical.shtml