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Killing off old tree roots

James McluckieJames Mcluckie Posts: 1
in Problem solving

How can I kill of old tree roots once I have cut the old tree branches down to the ground

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  • LynLyn DevonPosts: 21,145

    You can buy a stump killer, is it too big to dig out?

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • e1lisee1lise Posts: 14

    if it's in a suitable place light a bonfire over it, it may take several fires but it will burn away eventually

  • Birdy13Birdy13 Posts: 595
    Depending on how big it is you might find the best option is to call in a stump fringing firm. I found a one-man firm ((all very properly trained and equipped) who was very reasonable. Used him twice - he dug down and under until able to harness root with straps attached to a hand operated winch (secured to really strong mature tree) and just wound it out of the ground.

    A much larger willow was removed a few years back by cutting down and grinding the stump deep into the ground. The willow has not grown back at all.

    Hope this helps.
  • Birdy13Birdy13 Posts: 595
    Just re-read my post. The typo 'stump fringing' should read 'stump grinding'. (I wonder what stump fringing means?)
  • LynLyn DevonPosts: 21,145

    Thanks for that info Birdy, I am about to remove a conifer hedge, are you on a predictive spelling keyboard? image I removed the facility.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Birdy13Birdy13 Posts: 595
    Depending on which device I'm using, yes I am sometimes. Although my spelling is pretty sound I like to keep it - the results are sometimes quite interesting in the concepts it throws up.

    For example, I've just thought: you might like to be aware that after grinding out an old stump various wood loving fungi may decide to colonise around the area ('fringing the stump?!)
  • nutcutletnutcutlet PeterboroughPosts: 26,878

    You're right about the fungi Birdy, this one is on the site of a willow stump. I thinks it's beautiful though a lawn lover might disagree

    image

     

  • Birdy13Birdy13 Posts: 595
    tHAT'S aMAZING! (whoops! Caps Lock still on) What an incredible colour too! Any idea what type? Edible? How big across diameter?
  • Birdy13Birdy13 Posts: 595
    By the way, meant to ask someone: how do you include photos in these posts?

    Couldn't do it when tried once before; I might have been on iPad at the time - would that make a difference?
  • nutcutletnutcutlet PeterboroughPosts: 26,878

    It was big, at least 9 inches and I think it's pleurotus ostreatus, an oyster mushroom. Looks like the pic in Roger Phillips mushroom book. I wasn't sure enough to eat it though.

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