Quick question.

Is there something better or safer for small trees than Roundup to keep the grass at bay and out of the mulch so I don't have to weed eat around the trees?

Thanks
TD

Been using Spectracide for years, always gets the job done.

I think that's what I use. I bought a gallon of Crossroads at Rural King a few years back and still using it - on my to do list this week

After you weed the mulch, lay down some preen.

I get the heavy duty/extreme/extended control 6mo stuff, it works great.

Patriot has it.

1) Mechanical weed removal (including the roots)
2) Granular pre-emergent herbicide
3) Mulch (not too heavy, thick mulch against the trunk can harm trees)

WRT the original question, Roundup (Glyphosate) works through absorbtion by foliage. Spraying it on the woody parts of the plant does nothing. Roundup is pretty safe when used properly.

But (and it is a big but), realize that Monsanto has leveraged the Roundup "brand" to many herbicide formulations, most of which have multiple chemicals that work differently, not pure Glyphosate. Some of these herbicides will cause harm to trees. Here's how to avoid this (and I know you'll hate it): read the label! If it doesn't make sense to you, read it again. Repeat until understanding arrives, then read it again, slowly.

"If a little bit works, more will be better" is a mantra that has no place in pest control.

Nothing at all wrong with prevention as noted above.

That said, Roundup can be used near plants you don't want to take out, you just have to be careful with it. Back in the day, I took out weeds at the base of my roses with it, for example.

1) Get a sprayer that sprays a stream of liquid, not an aerosol that drifts, and apply only on non-windy days, or

2) make a liquid mix in an open container, and dab it on the 'bad' plants' leaves directly (think paint brush/paint can)

In either case, accidents may happen and a 'good plant' might get a bit on it. If so, rinse the overspray/drip off the good plant right away.

Put down weed barrier, the mulch over that. (Broken down cardboard works well as a weed barrier)

I have been using roundup since it was invented in the 70's and buy it 2.5 gallons at a time with some but not much bad effects but some "experts" claim use around desired woody plants can cause damage or stunting through root absorption. Roundup has a half life in the soil of a few days to several months depending on conditions. I was just wondering if something better was out there.

2,4-D products like Crossroad won't control grasses.

I have some Preen, that might help, thinks for the reminder Patriot but mine is a few years old so might not be still good?

Some of these trees I raised from seed or seedlings and I have 2 or three years invested in them, just an overabundance of caution but I don't want to harm them now.