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There is this plant growing right out from the wall of my and my neighbor's balcony (1st floor).

  • Is this plant bad for the building/wall/balcony?
  • Should I let it grow?
  • Should I cut it? But if I cut it, new shoots will grow (happened before). What should I do to completely remove this plant?

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    Where are you located? Does a broken leaf exude white sap? Does a crushed leaf have a strong scent? Regardless of species, this tree is NOT good for the building in this location. Don't pull it though since depending on the species, it might grow right back from the root if you do.
    – Brenn
    Sep 8, 2016 at 18:02
  • Agree with Brenn. This is not good for the building. Sep 8, 2016 at 20:07
  • @Brenn Crushed leaf: bitter smell. Broken leaf: Little sap running through the stem or the node. When i crushed the leaf there was no sap.
    – 4-K
    Sep 9, 2016 at 5:47
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    I'm not sure where you're located and even if we knew, this would be a tough ID. If I had to guess, I'd say Brachychiton compactus. Regardless of species, however, this will continue to damage the wall/balcony. Also, I'm sure the plant would be happier in a roomier environment. Is it at all possible to lift the stone where it arises and to dig it out? If not, I would suggest air layering it at the base and when it develops new roots, remove it and repot it. Then deal with the remaining root by using salt.
    – Brenn
    Sep 9, 2016 at 13:47

3 Answers 3

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No, the plant, like most others is not going to be safe for the building. You would need to have the plant removed properly. If you do not have the required experience, a tree removal service should be called, so they can get to the roots.

If you want to try to do the fix by yourself, you need to get as many as, and preferably all the roots of this plant.

Then, you need to patch up the area to prevent future growth, by this, or other plants.

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    The plant is very very very hard to reach :(
    – 4-K
    Sep 9, 2016 at 5:49
  • I'd seek professional help. You don't want foundation damage. Keeping the plant after you pull it out is just fine. Depending on the type of vine, they can put deep roots. Sep 9, 2016 at 6:16
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Shoot, I disagree. That plant has been there for awhile and the building is still there, grins! At first I thought it might be Clematis armandii the evergreen clematis vine. White flowers, very fragrant? That trunk looks old and if it hasn't caused problems it probably won't in your lifetime. It was obviously planted for that screen. I would leave it alone for awhile. Certainly won't cause anymore damage but you'll know what it is and enjoy it before knowing enough to make final decisions. Clematis armandii, thrives in shade, helps with privacy, fragrant and is evergreen. A rare shade loving evergreen vine. Could be something else, a flower would be lovely or a bud for ID.

To remove it do it in the winter during dormancy. You could dig it up and plant it elsewhere so it doesn't bother you or perhaps the structure. Myself, I'd cut out that concrete so there is at least a 2 foot wide POT for this plant. If you aren't happy with it in this position dig down around the perimeter, install plastic bags to inhibit root growth any further (probably not going to be necessary with this guy) to prepare this plant for transporting and transplanting during the late fall, early early spring when soil can be worked. This will help ensure the plant lives after transplanting (to get most of the feeder roots in one ball and reduce transplant shock).

This is not a weed. To purchase a plant of this size would cost bucks. This plant is also part of your home and I know, I know.. I am sensitive to killing anything. Depending on the ID of this plant you might have a prize to keep.

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  • I would love to keep the plant in a pot if it is a good one. But if it's not, I will have to remove it. What if the plant is flowering plant but doesn't flower?
    – 4-K
    Sep 9, 2016 at 5:49
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I believe you've about as much chance of removing that plant and its roots without knocking down the building as I have of waking up thirty years old again, I'm afraid. I'm rather wondering where the roots go if its one floor up, there's a sizeable trunk or two on that plant... The leaves resemble either Ficus or Schefflera arboricola, although it is hard to decide if its the latter because it's difficult to tell if it has the same composite leaf arrangement.

Whatever it is, if you want rid of it, there's only one realistic approach, and that is to saw or cut it down as close to the base as you can get, then drill into the stumps with a woodbit of suitable size (or a manual drill if you don't have electric, anything to make holes), making holes about quarter to a half inch deep and then applying stump or brushwood killer, either liquid or crystal, and cover with something (upturned pot, sheet of plastic for instance). What products are available where you are I don't know, but two of the most commonly used are SBK, a liquid, and Roundup Stumpkiller - these products are best applied immediately after cutting down. You could try applying lots of salt to the holes and cut surface, but that's usually not as effective so quickly, and repeated/ongoing cutting and salt application will likely be necessary.

Just for clarity, the definition of a weed is simply a plant growing in the wrong place...or one you just don't want for whatever reason.

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  • I cannot even get a good soil here. I doubt if the aforementioned products are available, but I will try to get a tree removal service. :) All 3 good answers :(
    – 4-K
    Sep 12, 2016 at 13:04

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