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Pulling weeds can spread weed seeds and disturb the soil, leading to seed germination. Pulling weeds can also trigger growth in weeds that reproduce through their root systems—disturbing the roots without fully removing them may cause more weeds to grow from the roots.

Glyphosate and other non-selective herbicides can kill orchard grass, but they will also kill the surrounding plants. Also, not all areas allow the use of glyphosate due to its environmental impact—which the EPA describes as a "potential risk to terrestrial and aquatic plants and birds, and low toxicity to honeybees." Consider mechanical removal to target the plants specifically.

Lawns with steep slopes can benefit from having quack grass. Quack grass's long roots and runners can help to prevent soil erosion on hillsides. Additionally, bird lovers may enjoy the fact that quack grass seeds are an attractive food choice for their avian friends.

It’s not legal to intentionally damage a neighbor’s tree. Even if the roots of a tree encroach into your yard, if you damage or kill a tree that belongs to your neighbor, you can be held liable for the damage in most cases. Since herbicides can spread through the tree, causing damage to the whole tree and not just the roots that are on your side of the property line, you shouldn’t poison your neighbor’s tree. The other downside to this method is that if the tree dies, it can fall onto your property and cause more damage, so herbicides are best avoided in this circumstance.