Topic: Weed/Plant ID please :D

[springbok]

Can anyone identify what this bush is?  I have cut it out of my hedge.  I have noticed that a few people have it living in their box hedges!

[star]

It looks like an ash tree SBG, IF YOU CAN GET RID OF THE ROOTS ALL THE BETTER. iT WILL KEEP GROWING BACK.................sorry caps lock!!

[springbok]

Star do you know how to get rid of the roots.  I dont want to destroy the box hedge :(

So seems we have a problem round here of sycamore trees and ash trees then :D

Thanks for ID'ing it for me.

[star]

Apart from digging them out or poisoning no hun Im sorry, both those methods will disturb the box hedge. I would hang on for some more replies, there may be a stump killer that onlt affects the stump.

I dont do weedkillers so I know nothing of what is out there these days :)

[Bryan]

Sorry to interupt, but you have a Sambucus there, not an ash. This is commonly known as elderberry,and the roots are not hard to dig out, but if you want to take the short cut, dab a little glyphosphate on the cut ends and this will kill off the rest of the plant.
Hope this elps,
Bryan.

[star]

Bryan thanks for the correction, I really should wear my glasses :( That makes life a lot easier then for you SBG  :D

[springbok]

Heres two more pics, one of the stem and a close up of the leaves.  It doesnt look like elderberry and it never flowers.

[star]

Bryan was right SBG, it is elderberry. It must depend on age or something to flower. But it would if it was left alone ;)

[sarah]

definately looks like elderberry.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It does, and it's definitely not ash. The one in my hedge didn't start flowering till it was about 8 foot high.

[Twospot Ladybird]

I agree with the Elderberry. They flower the previous years growth (if I remember correctly) so if it gets cut back every time you cut back your box then that explains the lack of flowers. I got flowers on mine the first year I planted, planted 2 years ago, it's not even 3ft yet. Mine is an ornamental variety of our native Elder (Sambucus Nigra, mine is 'Black Lace').

[grannyjanny]

I think elder has a nasty smell (to my nose anyway).
Janet.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's good for keeping witches off your plot.

[sheddie]

I'd wage a few quid that its elderberry - I've had loads myself - those stems are unmistakable.

I chopped mine down to a few inches off the ground and covered them with black polythene. Killed them off no bother!

Makes a cracking home brew wine if you decide to keep some though - hic!...

[PurpleHeather]

I was told that a copper nail banged into the root or trunk would kill the tree off but not harm the soil.

I have never tried it, I have never found any copper nails.

It could be an old wives tale and useless information.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I tried it once, on a sycamore. It had no effect at all.

[Amazin]

Twospot, you can make fabbo elderflower champers from the flowers of the 'Black Lace'. I've been doing it for a few years now. It has a lovely mild, fruity flavour. I don't know about the strength but it doesn't seem to be very xjkas vfnjk ehjr flibble.....