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Small tree stump in ground

Rich77Rich77 Posts: 11
in Problem solving

Hi,

I have front off street parking at the front of the house. At the side is a strip of earth about one and a half feet wide, next to the side fence.

Things grow there, bulbs and I planted a bush which seems to have taken last year. I pulled out a michelmas daisy plant which I did not like and saw a small stump looking like it was from an old plant, maybe a small tree. It is about five inches wide and I don't know how deep it goes.

I want to take it out as I think it would get in the way of any new plant I put there and it is taking up a lot of precious space. It is strong, I don't know why, maybe the stem has roots just like the tree did and I can't get it out, and the earth is not easy to dig deep enough and round it for me to get it out. 

Can any experts advise what to do or should I just leave it there?

 

 

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Posts

  • Jess is in the GardenJess is in the Garden Posts: 1,022

    Could you maybe plant another shrub next to it, that will cover it in time, the saving you the hassle of removing it?

    Just a thought....

  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    What is the parking area covered with? Any roots from this little tree may have traveled a long distance; if you try to rip it up, you could find that a paved parking area is disturbed.

    Is there any sign of new growth on it? If not, I would cut it down to ground level and ignore it, it's roots are probably rotting away and providing nutrients to the soil.

    If it is sprouting with new leaves, then go to the local Garden Centre (or B&Q type place) and ask for a product that will deal with it.image

     

  • Rich77Rich77 Posts: 11

    I did not see any new shoots at all. Is the thing actually still alive and if there are no new shoots will it eventually wither away? 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,112

    If it's not made any new shoots in the past year then it's dead - it will eventually rot away. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Duncan BlackwellDuncan Blackwell Posts: 87

    You could always go a little wild with a very long drill bit, drill as much of the stump as you can, it will help it rot away a lot quicker.

  • Mr. RaspberryMr. Raspberry Posts: 24

    I'm all for digging stumps and as much root as you can get out as the remains can encourage fungal growth, not all of it good. 

  • super trooper 60super trooper 60 Posts: 2

    I would drill as many holes in the trunk and use a root out chemical to rot it down but you must use before the sap starts rising.

     

  • Roger BrookRoger Brook Posts: 51

    I never dig stumps out and I have never had any problems- but then I am a no digger!

    I have recently been reading about hugelkultur where people actually bury logs or create raised beds of wood covered by soil. It's quite fascinating and the rotting wood over the years creates wonderful 'organic' soil!

     

  • Rich77Rich77 Posts: 11

    Thanks for all your suggestions. I am none the wiser. Some say leave it, some say take it out!

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