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Decking & tree stumps

AletheaAlethea Posts: 2
in Garden design

Hi I'm new to this site and am starting to make my garden look a bit better. I've just had my 25ft conifer tree cut down and am left with the stump at ground level. I'm going to put some stump killer on it and wondered if you can put decking over a tree stump, the reason being I don't think I'll be able to dig the stump out and there's an electric cable that runs very close to the stump. 

Forgive me if its a silly silly question but I'm not a very good gardener but have some ideas in mind. 

Thanks for reading.

Posts

  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619

    It's rather thoughtless- typically human, really- to douse a tree stump in chemicals.  I'm sure it's not beyond you to pull off any shoots that were to grow from a cut down tree!  Fortunately for you a confier won't attempt to regrow from a stump.

    You could use an angle grinder as suggested or if you have a (bow) saw you could cut it down below the level of the decking (cheaper).  There shouldn't be any problems other than height that would prevent you from decking over the area.  I wouldn't even contemplate trying to get it out though, a tree that size would need a JCB (ignoring said cabling).

    If you still want it to rot down underneath the decking you could drill some deep holes into it so water can penetrate and speed up the process but you may no really care once it's covered over.

  • AletheaAlethea Posts: 2

    Thanks for your comments, the stump is right down at ground level probably only 2 inches high and has been cut very nicely and smooth to the touch. My mum mentioned drilling holes in it as she had one and it took about 5 years to rot before she could get it out. There's no shoots on it or anything. 

    I'll find a drill and make some holes.  It's the first time I've ever done anything like this ?

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 8,050

    As Doghouse Riley said, a conifer stump isn't likely to throw out any shoots so you can simply put the decking over the top of it.  I wouldn't even bother drilling holes in the stump as the effect will be minimal given that the decking will cover most of it.

    As long as you realise that some people are extremely judgemental if you even consider doing something they don't approve of you'll be fine on the site.  Welcome aboard.

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