Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

[PiratePast40]

Had a large tree cut down because the roots were starting to lift up the side of the shop in my back yard.Wondering about the best way to kill the roots so they won't keep lifting up the side of the shop and cause further damage. The stump is 30-34" in diameter. Here are a few pictures:



The roots that are affecting the shop won't be removed by a stump grinder because you can't get under the shop to get them out. Wondering if there is a product that will kill the roots and keep them from continuing to grow. I know they will die off eventually but would like to repair the shop wall in the spring and want to avoid further damage.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

Ayuh,... You've cut the tree down,... looks like a spruce, or fir..

The roots will now die, naturally...

1 trick I've done, with reasonable results is,...
Drill a bunch of holes in the stump, 'n liberally cover it, 'n fill the holes with the septic tank dope called Rid-X...
It attacks tree roots in septic lines, 'n does pretty much the same thing to the stump...
moisture activates the stuff..

 

[sje0123]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

I'd hit the local hardware store and find some stuff specifically for rotting out stumps. I've used it before and it took about a yr and a half or two year to allow me to just chop it up a little with an axe and remove the chunks and fill it in with dirt.

I don't think a stump grinder will work since it's so close to the wall.

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

Pirate,

I had a similar problem with a large willow tree next to my garage. After the tree was removed by a contractor, the stump kept growing and showing spouts. I did what has been suggested by Bond-O. Drill a bunch of holes in the edge of the exposed stump and fill the holes with a weed killer called "Roundup" -a couple of times. The new shoots were dead within a week and the stump was then drilled and filled with one of the rot promoting products. All told it took about a year or so for the stump to completely go away, but now I have a depression that continues to form and requires me to add soil to the spot to keep the mower from falling into the hole.

Stump grinders are a fast way to solve the problem, but the one used on other trees on my property required a machine the size of a Yugo to do the work. It was all automatic, but the stump was replace within 20 minutes to a small pile of sawdust and soil mixture. Planted another tree about 3' further away and we were good to go.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[Vintin]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

If it's a type of tree that does not send up new sprouts after its cut down, then you don't have to do anything. If it's a type that resprouts then all that is required is that you don't let the new stump sprouts live. Foliar application of roundup may need to be done several times until resprouting stops. Another technique(in addition to those suggested by other posters) is to use a paint brush and undiluted Roundup and 'paint' the outer one inch of the stump surface, also called the cambium(living vascular system).

As long as you don't let any sprouts live for very long, even breaking them off by hand, the stump will die. It may draw termites so watch out for your structure if it is wood.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

My biggest concern is that the roots may continue to grow even though the tree is cut down. Since they're already starting to lift up on the side of the shop, wanted to make sure that part is over before I repair the existing damage. I don't think I'll get shoots out of this type of tree. The stump itself isn't a big concern but would be nice to have it out of the way. I'll try the Rid-X first since that stuff is designed specifically for roots. Hopefully, the stump will provide the pathway to the roots so the poison will be carried there.

 

[rbh]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

copper sulfite (SP), kills roots dead, fast!!

 

[Vintin]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

However you decide to kill the tree, there will be no further root growth if there are no live above ground leaves and stems. Food reserves are still in the root system so if despite your efforts to kill the tree.....if new above ground growth appears.....it must be killed! If you have above ground growth you are still going to see root growth.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

My biggest concern is that the roots may continue to grow even though the tree is cut down.

Ayuh,... That Don't/ Can't happen....

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

Evergreen stump=dead roots=termite food. Watch for subtereaneans (sp). They will eat the roots and the structure may settle back down. Rot will do the same but take longer.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

Put an eye hook in it, thread a tow strap through, hook it up to the truck and slam on the gas

They sell a commercial stump poison which I can recommend from personal experience.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

Put an eye hook in it, thread a tow strap through, hook it up to the truck and slam on the gas

They sell a commercial stump poison which I can recommend from personal experience.

And that would be?????

 

[sschefer]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

And that would be?????

I just use Round Up. Drill the holes, pour it in and it's dead. Like Bondo-said, you really don't have to worry about it though. I just took out a slab that my dad poured right over the top of a redwood stump. The stump was rotten as well as the portion of roots that I discovered when I busted out the stump. Funny thing about that, I looked at the darn slab for 6 months trying to figure out why it was 6" higher than the side walk. I was laughing my butt off when I found that stump and realized my dad wasn't super human after all.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

I cut down a China Berry a few years ago. I have tried the Round Up in drilled holes since I reduced it to a stump.
Dang if that thing isn't trying to shoot up again.

I think my new Hi-Lift jack just added another task to it's job description.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

Don't know where it costs where you are, but 'round here I can have a stump ground out for around $50.

My time + chemical expense = "Geeze, I coulda' probably paid someone to do this faster & better."

 

[zopperman]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

I just use Round Up. Drill the holes, pour it in and it's dead. Like Bondo-said, you really don't have to worry about it though. I just took out a slab that my dad poured right over the top of a redwood stump. The stump was rotten as well as the portion of roots that I discovered when I busted out the stump. Funny thing about that, I looked at the darn slab for 6 months trying to figure out why it was 6" higher than the side walk. I was laughing my butt off when I found that stump and realized my dad wasn't super human after all.

This

 

[Bondo]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

I cut down a China Berry a few years ago. I have tried the Round Up in drilled holes since I reduced it to a stump.
Dang if that thing isn't trying to shoot up again.

I think my new Hi-Lift jack just added another task to it's job description.

Ayuh,.... If round-up don't work,... use Clorox Bleach...

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Grind the stump or kill the roots from big tree?

I cut down a China Berry a few years ago. I have tried the Round Up in drilled holes since I reduced it to a stump.
Dang if that thing isn't trying to shoot up again.

I think my new Hi-Lift jack just added another task to it's job description.[/QUOTE

Pound a penny in it, or I have pure copper sulfate in the garage]