Question
Hi Jim,
I think I've read all of the questions you've answered about these trees'
problems.  I too have one that I want gone. I don't know when our tree was
planted, but it's about 25 feet tall now; and I swear it's grown in height and  
width by at least 2/3, if not doubled, since we moved in 3 years ago!   Our
house is on a slab foundation, and the tree is about 12 feet away from the
house (and about 4 feet away from the side walk).  It's also about 4-6 feet
below the level of the foundation, as our house is up-hill (though a short
distance) from the street. The problem is that the tree is wedged into a tiny
spot - it's a foot from a tall wooden fence enclosing our yard, and barely 2
feet from a concrete stairway leading up to our house. Next to the stairway is
the steep concrete driveway.  Every square inch of the property (and I'm
talking INCHES, not acreage here!) is "spoken for," so I have no way of
knowing from above what havoc is being wreaked below, and when it will rear
its head. Is it too late to get rid of this thing? What about all the people who
say these trees drink roundup for breakfast and feel stronger by lunch? Where
would I look for the sprouts if the roots are (presumably) quite far down,
beneath concrete, including, potentially, the foundation?  And assuming we
CAN get rid of it and the ground it came out of isn't forever toxic, is there any
way of planting a more mature shade tree so we don't have to start from
scratch?  Also, my teensy lawn is dying where all the seed pods drop, and a
gardener told me the burrs (essentially) poison the ground, and I will not be
able to grow many things wherever these things drop.  Is that true? Thanks
for any and all of your answers!

Answer
This is too small a space for a tree such as sweetgum. I would remove the tree (which from what you describe maybe a task). As soon as you cut the trunk (within 24 hours) paint the stump with Roundup, The stump will take up the herbicide and transport it to the roots killing the roots and the tree and the sprouts. No the ground is not toxic after the herbicide has dried. Roundup will kill any green plant it gets on so do not get it on any plant not wanting killed. You can replant the next day.

The "balls" are not toxic the soil where these are will not be effected. I have actually seen them used as mulch.