Tree stumps

I have 3 or 4 tree stumps in my front and back yard, plus root systems still in place. Is there a way of getting rid of them other than have someone come in and yank them out? They're certainly not serving any purpose, although I suppose I could split firewood on them....

White...... I've always drilled holes and put stump killer in them, but it takes a long time.

There's a similar post under Texas Gardening :) It has some good ideas.

I'll check there, thanks.

I can be patient. It will probably take five years before this place starts looking like a garden and not like an abandoned property, anyway.

Here's an interesting article about stumps. It says, btw, that stump killer doesn't work. Turning them into a plant pot type thing would be interesting, but first I'd have to figure out how to take out the stump material in the center.

http://www.gardensalive.com/article.asp?ai=557&bhcd2=1154822554

Hi WH,

I just used Brush-b-Gone to get id of poison ivy (worked great) and the info on the bottle states it can be used for stumps too. Have no idea if it works for this but based on my poison ivy experience, it's a good product to have on hand anyway. Actually, I intend to try it on a stump or two myself.

Victor

ooh, I have a stump, too. I bought the stump killer (and will try it even if it's not going to work -- what else am I going to with the stuff, lol), but I also have Brush-b-gone (which the creeping fig didn't even notice) and will add that to the mix.

You could put stump killer on one half and Brush-B-Gone on the other, and have a race!

I guess that's why it took so long lol

On smaller ones I have been known to take an axe to them, if you keep whacking at it, it will break apart. It's then at ground level and I won't trip over it anymore.

Axe. I'll put that on the list.

For some of my property, I think I'll need a bush machete!

OK. What are you looking for? it sounds like opportunity to me.
How about renting a stump grinder at a local rental place?
Or cutting it flush with the soil and mounding soil on top and doing some landscaping.
I left one stump high on purpose and took a chainsaw and carved out a "bowl" to grow a plant. It's cool, has petunias cascading over it.
I left another tree trunk and 2 to 3 foot limbs to hang potted plants from. I had to gird the trunk so it would die.
I have a huge maple stump in the middle of the back of a garden that was cut down about 15 years ago that is rotting enough that I am growing potulocas on the top of it.
Aline

That was my first try at posting a picture I am so happy. Anyway the stum is nearly covered by growth but you can see it there in the top back of the garden and right now it has plants growing on it.

Very pretty aline, I can't even see the stump....those are some good ideas of what to do when you're stumped LOL

That is a pretty garden!
I get rid of all my stumps because here in FL just about everything grows back from the roots left in the ground.

For smaller stumps I have always had the best luck hacking it to death with an axe to almost below ground level then covering with thick black plastic.
The heat , lack of light and water prevents it from trying to grow back and makes it easier to dig out with most of the main roots. Depending on how hot the climate is it may take a few weeks .

The large ones like from mature trees....... a stump grinder is the fastest way to go.

But then it is always pretty to put a plant in it if it's in the right spot and it won't re-sprout.

These stumps are pretty much dead. I've been looking into stump removal. One ad said that most stumps cost $40 to remove. That's under $200. Not so bad. Although I might keep one just to use to chop tree branches and firewood on.

That $40 is a bargain. Also keep in mind that tree stumps are an invitation to the ground-dwelling termites in colorado. You don't want that.

I have a sure-fire technique for removing junipers, should you need the information.

I'd have to second (third?) the grinder option.

It has the advantage of leaving you with a whole lot of nice mulch, but you have to start with a stump cut pretty low to the ground. I also like it because you can use a good portion of the mulch to fill the hole back in so you don't have to buy dirt for it. Usually still have plenty of mulch left for use elsewhere.

Grinding also gives you options as to how much you get rid of. When you pull a stump, you have to go down deep enough so that you can break the tap root and usually only get the side roots that happen to come with the stump. Grinding, you can go down as deeply as the grinder will reach, or you can stop just below the soil level. You can also follow ground-running roots that may be sticking up & grind them down too.

Of course, this is all for huge, mature-size stumps. If all you have are 'mini' stumps - I'd say less than a foot across, you might see about renting a backhoe. You could probably get rid of all you have in under a day. (plus you'd have the fun factor of using the backhoe :-) )

I hadn't thought about the termites. You're right. I certainly don't want MORE trouble with bugs!

I was seriously thinking of the idea of putting a plant in the middle of the stump. Some kind of vine that would drape all over it. Kind of like a living table runner. What's that vine that looks like it's made of green beads? I've seen it cascading over hanging pots.

But if it's for the good of the yard (and my pocketbook down the line), they got to go.

Will they let you operate a backhoe if you don't have a driver's license?

Maybe I should call Mike Rowe and tell him I have a dirty job for him. I might get my stumps removed free AND get my 15 minutes.