Vinegar Usage

• According to Garden-Ville, a ratio of 20 percent vinegar to 80 percent orange oil or molasses is sufficient for killing weeds and trees. The site recommends pouring the mixture directly onto the soil surrounding the weeds. The vinegar mixture slowly absorbs into the soil, which the weeds use for food and water. The weeds absorb the mixture, spreading it through the root system and slowly killing the plant. The same ratio works for trees, but you must pour the solution directly onto the tree's roots for maximum effectiveness.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Pure vinegar without any additives is a strong weed killer in its own right. The U.S. Department of Agriculture performed a study that found vinegar applied to several types of weeds killed the pests. Cover surrounding areas with plastic tarps or another form of protection when killing weeds with vinegar. Keep the oak trees separate from the burr clover by wrapping the trees with the tarps and securing the tarps to the ground. The more separation between the two types of vegetation, the greater the chances of the tree surviving.
  
  

Considerations

• Vinegar should only kill the weeds it contacts. When spreading pure vinegar or solution on the clover, the clover slowly absorbs the liquid that kills the weeds. The danger arises when grass and other vegetation in the surrounding area absorbs the leftover liquid and carries it into other areas of your yard. If the oak tree sits near the burr oak or other weeds, then you risk the tree absorbing some of the liquid and possibly dying.
  
  

Health of Tree

• A small amount of vinegar is harmless to trees and may even provide some benefits. Vinegar's acidity kills bacteria and harmful mold in the surrounding areas, which interferes with the tree's lifecycle. Do not worry if some of vinegar runs off the weeds and soaks into the tree. The only worry occurs when you apply several treatments to weeds and vegetation surrounding the tree.