How to get rid of Pachysandra at a tree base

[Ablor]

We have some large Maples, with Pachysandra (perennial cold-hardy groundcover) growing at their base. I dislike this ground cover immensely because it spreads, and in the last 2 years it has taken over a substantial portion of adjoining areas. The spreading is somewhat slow but noticeable. I have been reading up about how to eradicate or limit it and am not finding great answers. I am hoping that experience can guide me better...

- Digging up: Quite impractical. The areas are fairly large and this will be hard to do. Besides, it's all among the tree roots.
- Chemical methods: I don't want to spray over tree roots - I don't know if this is harmful. Besides, there are many other plants nearby. If I do have to do this, what happens after the weeds are killed/browned? Do you still dig them up after? If you don't, will they come back?
- Covering with some type of sun/air blocker. Plastic and cardboard have been suggested. Plastic looks like a decent option, but will it hurt the tree roots? If I do use it, should it be permeable landscape fabric or impermeable black plastic? I don't understand the cardboard suggestion: with a lot of impending rain, won't it just disintegrate? How will it be effective then (as I read it takes months to kill this weed)? If I do use it, will I end up with a large area of soggy cardboard mess to clean up later?

 

[Sheal]

Paint on systemic weed killers are available to buy and you don't have to paint every part of the plant. It won't affect any other plants or the tree roots. The weed will die off and eventually rot down but if you prefer to dig them up, make sure they are completely dead first or you may get re-growth. In fact you could use any systemic killer that is diluted and paint it on.