[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

This is a question that came up recently in a question and answer session with a group of gardeners. Irishgardeners.com does not advocate the removal of trees; instead, this forum encourages tree planting and preservation, especially native trees.
Some great examples of elderberries virtues both physical and legendry can be found here... Elder / Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) , please at least check it out before you remove the plant from your site.
However, there are occasions where a tree becomes a problem or a weed within the garden. So on with the topic...

How to remove an Elderberry tree (kill the trees roots)

Sambucus nigra is commonly referred to as the wild European elder.
Its soft new stems quickly harden to hollow older stems.
Although it has pretty creamy white flowers followed by dark berries many people regard it as an invasive woody weed.


Photo / pic / image of Sambucus nigra.
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If you wish to remove an invasive tree or shrub such as this, then read on.......

The first step to total removal is cut the tree down leaving just a stump, please call in a tree surgeon if the job is larger than your experience or skill.

Stumps of Sambucus nigra may produce stump shoots from buds below ground so we must treat it to kill the plant right to the tips of its roots.
A good product for this purpose is a product called “Dax Root-out” which contains ammonium sulpamate.
This product can be safely used around more prized planting providing it is applied to just the cut stump of the tree to be removed.
It has the added benefit of actually adding nitrogen to your soil rather than leaving a nasty residue.

The Ideal time for application is during May-June and directly after the felling of the tree, but I have had good results at other times of the year.
You must drill 3 to 4 slightly slanting holes approx 2.5cm (1 inch) diameter as deep as is possible into the top of the stump, also make downward axe slashes into the bark on the sides of the stump approx 2.5cm (1 inch) deep.

Next pack the “Dax Root-out" crystals into these wounds.
Finally cover the stump with a clear plastic cover to prevent dilution of the crystals with rainwater, leave this in place for 1 month.

If you cannot find “Dax Root-out” in the garden centres you can also use “SBK Brushwood Killer” or “Round-up” although these are in liquid form and must be painted onto open tree wounds.
Under no circumstance employ the old method of applying diesel as a stump killer, this will definitely leave a residue in the soil to affect plantings.
A stump killing product will take approx 7 weeks to totally kill the tree, but for the stump to decompose completely can take between 3 and 7 years although it may be possible to dig the stump out after a year.

Please remember to follow manufacturer’s instructions when applying chemicals.

Update.... Since writing this piece, Ammonium sulphamate products “Dax Root-out" being one of them, have been removed from the market because a complete dossier (data package) was not submitted for the EC review programme.

22 November 2007 – last day for sale;
22 May 2008 – last day for use and storage.

A list of the Ammonium sulphamate amateur products being withdrawn is given below along with their MAPP number.
Timetable for withdrawal

Amcide M00089

Deep Root M08368

Deep Root Path & Patio Weedkiller M09365

Deep Root Spotweeder Gel M11389

Doff Tough Weedkiller Spray M12217

Doff Tree Stump & Tough Weedkiller M11991

Garden XP Tough Weed Killer M12242

Growing Success Bramble Killer M12530

Growing Success Deep Root Weed M10640

Growing Success Ivy Killer M11439

Growing Success Ivy Killer Gel M11440

Root-Out M03510

Westland Weed Killer M12244

[Lilith]

I can't imagine wanting to kill one. They're not only lovely, the flowers and berries are very powerful natural medicine. Here in the Southern US, the berries are often made into a really soothing cough syrup, or into wine (or white lightning) by the old locals, and the flowers are used for everything from skin-beautifying lotions to teas to treat colds and flu.

The rest of the tree - bark, stems, leaves - is poisonous containing cyanide, I think.

[verge]

Here in Ireland the Elderberry can be quite invasive. Lilith, I wonder is your elderberry in the southern US the same as ours (Sambucus nigra as GPI says). Have you got a recipe for some of that "white lighting".

[Lilith]

Yes, verge...it's the same, sambucus nigra. There are also other varieties available now from nurseries to use for landscaping. They grow wild along forest edges and streams where I live, but they're not invasive here. I wonder if it has to do with them dying back in the Winter?

I'll get you a recipe for white lightning if you'll get me a good one for poteen.

[verge]

Your wish is my command....
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=367#367

[Lilith]

Turnabout is fair play.

http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=372#372

[verge]

Ha, Ha, deadly.
Thanks Lilith, as they say here in Ireland "we're gonna get locked"

[Lilith]

Or as they say in the Southern mountains...."good 'shine'll glue yer arse to the chair."

[Sb]

Or as they say in certain parts of Ireland......it'll get ya scuttered.