Question
QUESTION: Writing in from South Carolina.  We removed a 16-year old Bradford Pear tree from our yard in early August - it never split, but was killing the lawn and the main roots were above ground (the stump and roots looked like the creature from "Alien" when it was on Wm. Hurt's face!).  After removal, we had a stump grinder come and take out the major roots.  What we've been continuously dealing with since then are suckers from the roots below ground, about 6-10 feet from the base of where the tree grew.  Some of these minor roots are 6" below ground sending up suckers.  Complete root removal means tearing up even more of our lawn. Round up works for a about 3 days before the suckers' roommates come to the surface.  I'm starting to find them in the middle of thick grass.  What can be done besides digging up 200 square feet of lawn 10 inches deep to pull out the roots to keep the suckers from growing?  I'm beginning to think Bradfords can't be killed.

ANSWER: You can put a herbicide called Roundup on the foliage of the sprouts and this will kill the sprouts. The foliage will absorb the Roundup and transport it to the root system killing the roots. Use a sponge paint brush and wet the brusb with the Roundup and paint it on the foliage of the sprouts. It could be sprayed on but the Roundup will kill any green plant and painting it on will allow you to keep the Roundup on the plants ( grass) not wanting to be killed. I would wear plastic gloves to keep the Roundup off my hands --it has a pretty strong smell. Roundup will not harm animals.

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QUESTION: Above, I mentioned that Round Up works for about 3 days before the suckers' roommates come to the surface.  I guess I wasn't clear in saying that Round Up is not working.  The roots that these suckers are coming out of are 1" or more in diameter.  That's why I'm looking for alternatives to Round Up short of digging up the entire yard.  Any other suggestions?

Answer
I would have thought that the Roundup would work--the sprouts need to be 8-12 inches tall--which means they are growing good and will transport the herbicide. If you have trues the Roundup you might also try triclopyr (Garlon 3A?or Remedy?  This can be sprayed on the sprouts or if you can dig up a large root cut it and paint the ends of the roots with the Roundup or triclopyr (Garlon 3A?or Remedy?. They can be persistent so keep at it.