Can you describe the shape of the leaves? Can you provide a picture? See link for a picture of a certain large leaved weedy tree.

Regardless of what it is, if you want it gone then you need a BRUSH killer. Something like Brush-B-Gon or Round-up for Woody plants (it is a different formulation than regular Round up). Cut the plant down to a few inches and apply the brush killer to the stump (make sure you get it on the outside ring of the stump, that is the living layer).

Here is a link that might be useful:

Just from hearing it, I can't help but think Chinese Tallow Tree ....

esh, the leaves do look a lot like the one in your picture, not only the one being held but also the ones in the background, right hand side. Some of the leaves are shaped almost like fig leaves, some are assymetrical -curve in on one side but keep their "spade" shape on the other, and some look like the one that you are holding. The way that not all the leaves are the same shape is one of the wierd things about this plant. (I'd provide a picture, but I don't have a digital camera. If I can get some film and take a couple of shots and get them developed, I will.)

could it be sassfras, scroll down past the eggs hatching and dog jumping to "the magic of sassafras".http://katdocsworld.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html

Harriet

Mulberry is another one with similar leaves.

lzygrdner-your blog is fascinating. It just distracted me from work for about 20 minutes. When I have time, I'm definately going back for more. And what an amazing story about Grace!

Thanks, but I just linked the picture from it...I wish I could take credit though

Harriet

Sounds like Rose of Sharon to me... go to google and images and type it in you'll get 100 pics.,
They send out runners and have similar leaves and grow big quick....
Post apic if you can

thanks for posting that.

as embarassing as this is, i thought all this time we had potato bushes growing wild behind the house, but apparently it's an overgrowth of rose of sharon. i figured it was related to hibiscus.

guess it really pays to look at pictures when you don't know the names :)

Rose of Sharom really is a pretty flowring tree... But it sends out babies like mad. If you can manage to keep them out and only have one or two rose trees that you let grow big you will be pleased with the flowers...Left unchecked they are up there with kudzu as to hardness to remove and quickness of invasivness

currrently, we're in a good spot. they are filling in an area in the back that we're rather not look at (runoff ditch). we keep them in their little area, and it was overgrown before, i just limit the space they can grow in, and may eventually remove them when the time comes.