trees/shrubs resprouting after being cut down

adamadamant

I have had to have a number of large shrubs cut down recently, but I have the problem of resprouting, particularly vigorous is a euonymous and a bay.  At this point, given that the cuts are no longer fresh and I'm not sure how much further down I can go with a saw, what is the best way to kill the stump?  I dont need them removed, I'm sure they will eventually rot down.  I have heard about drilling holes into the stump and putting something down but can you let me know how far into the stump I need to drill and what to apply?  Or any other methods.  The bay has been cut down for about four years now and is still sending up shoots which I generally put roundup on, but I am not always around to be quick enough off the mark.  The euonymous came down this spring.  Same for a ruscus.  thanks 

Hostafan1

Assuming they're not massive, cut all the new growth off and put a compost bag filled with, well anything, over the stump and leave it there.
Not pretty but it deprives light and the stump will die.
You can plant stuff around it to hide the bag.

adamadamant

That's an idea.    How long do you think it would need to be on to kill the stump?  Presume we're talking about a year or so? 

Hostafan1

depends how big the original plant was. I did it with buidlers' dumpy sacks on top of the stumps of Ash trees I'd cut down and left them for a year.

josusa47

Thanks, I'll try that with the stumps of my Escallonia hedge!

adamadamant

Good to have a photo!  Thanks all