How to Kill Cane Berries

Eliminating the Canes

• Slip on a pair of sturdy work gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants before removing the raspberry, blueberry or other berry’s canes, using sharp pruning shears, a hacksaw or machete. Don’t worry about being precise, as the point is to eliminate not salvage the canes. Continue to hack away at the canes until the main stem is easily accessible. Place the canes into a sturdy plastic bag and tie it shut for future disposal.

Eliminate the Root Ball

• Dig up the root ball with a small shovel or spade. Use a larger shovel if the root ball is deep inside the earth. Once the root ball is uncovered, carefully place it into a sturdy plastic bag. Examine the hole and place any stray shoots or root chunks into the plastic bag.

Prevent Future Growth

• Cover the ground inside the hole with a light coating of herbicide. Choose a product recommended for use with cane berries or that contains the active ingredient glyphosate, which eliminates any remaining chunk of the cane berry’s root ball. Fill the hole with the original soil and cover it with a piece of tarp, black plastic or newspaper. This deprives the site of oxygen, sunlight and moisture, preventing the cane berries from re-sprouting.

Discarding the Canes and Root Ball

• Eliminate the canes and root balls by leaving them at your curbside with the garbage or contacting your local waste management company to determine how yard waste is disposed of in your area. Avoid burning, mulching or storing the canes in a nearby wooded area or field. The shoots and root ball can resprout and grow if not disposed of properly.