redbird, only a good stout lawnmower or maybe a brush hog used regularly will be the solution. You would need multiple applications of poison. Even then, nature abhors a vacuum and stuff will come back. Something will try to come back. If you are persistent, your efforts will give way to perennial grasses instead of the forest occupants. It takes time. Mowing and such will get easier over time if you are consistent.

I do understand, tho. I must work the edges of the neighbor's properties, too. They don't seem to care, especially for the invasive poplar trees. I can't spray those because they are, essentially, roots connected to the 2 story trees on our property near and over the house. If I spray the saplings, I will weaken the main poplar trees and that might mean a crash on the roof during harsh weather.

I carry shears, a hatchet and my husband bought me a commercial weedeater.

bon

Yikes. Thank you, and you've confirmed my fears. I think we are going to have to move that mulch in order to be able to mow. Time to get busy!

Can you just use a weed wacker to get anything that pops out of the mulch? Seems easier than moving the mulch.

Maybe so. It seems like that might just strengthen the roots for when it comes back. I really don't know. I thought that getting rid of the mulch would help grass to get started faster. Maybe we need to plant some dwarf fruit trees and just keep piling on the mulch for a Back to Eden orchard strip.

The roots need to produce leaves/chlorophyll to live. Repeated cutting back should eventually weaken the roots. Depends what it is of course. Some plants will send runners far away seeking light and nutrition but not most things.

Thanks, you guys. We will also need to start a "green wall" for privacy from the road, now that most of the "jungle" is gone. I'm thinking probably holly. What else is evergreen, dense, fast-growing and low-maintenance?

So many options! i really need to get some bushes, but not yet. I have very old rose of sharon that are now trees. The limbs, not the trunk, require a chainsaw! These bloom all summer. They love the heat and once established, they are drought tolerant. But that's only from my experience.

I'm of the opinion: If it's fast-growing there's a problem that throws back, like invasive roots and/or with saplings that get away and require hatchest, saws, etc. There are tons of non-invasive but tough slow-growing shrubs that work very well in Oklahoma. Here's OSU extension suggestions:

Have fun deciding!

bon