Would anybody be able to recommend something to rot the stumps and roots of this massive bush we cut down? It was an invasive plant species and was blocking driveway view. I'm hoping to treat it with something non polluting and hacking it out with picks. Not currently planning to replace it with anything else.
by Teddypinktoes
12 Comments
what was it?
My go-to is to dig about 50 out from the edge with pick/mattock and shovels. Locate a large root, sever it from the main root ball (axe or saw). I do this all around the stump until I think I’ve found all the main roots, then dig down and get my hi-lift jack under a large on the root ball side and crank. When you’ve gone as far as you can, put something under it, lower the jack, then move to the next big root. A car jack would work too just not quite as strong.
In all honesty for this size of root ball, I’d either hire a stump grinder or someone with a stump grinder. I’m actually having someone come around this week to grind out a very large stump for $250. Depending on your finances and available time, this maybe be the better option for you as the manual method might take days.
I have also chopped one of these monsters down recently – would love to know the same thing!
I would consider burning the stump out in this instance – altho that depends a LOT on what the plant is/was. Some plants should never be burnt – like oleander for example, as the smoke is extremely toxic.
It is a cost effective method with the only drawbacks being time, as you never leave a fire unattended. Your local fire station has info regarding burnoffs, permits etc in your area.
Pour Methylated Spirits on it and light a match. Make sure you have a couple of buckets of water on hand first, to ensure if it gets outta hand you can deal with it quickly and effectively.
Depends on how quick you want it done. If you’ve got time then cover with mulch and wait for it to rot away. Killing any growth that comes up.
Otherwise, the quick method is to dig it out. Start at one side and dig 30-50cm away, then under the root ball. But this will be a lot of work.
Round up
You can hire a stump grinder from Kennards on a trailer for like $300 for a day.
Easy. Petrol, burn and keep a hose nearby.
It’s not quick but you could try the epsom salts method. Drill holes in remaining branches, fill with epsom salts and cover with black plastic. Use bricks or rocks to hold the plastic in place. Will take 3-6 months but will do the job with no pollution to surrounding soil. I guess it depends how quickly you want it gone. If you want it done sooner might be better to just dig it out or pay for someone else to.
If you’re not willing to dedicate months of your life to it resorouting from every skerrik of root left behind, just use roundup. It’s non polluting, doesn’t poison the soil, etc.
At the end of the day, you’re still going to have to get a stump grinder to get rid of the mess, but if you don’t make sure it’s dead first, it’ll probably keep coming back.
Cut a branch, put roundup on it immediately. Cut the next one, and repeat.
Cover it in stump remover (potassium) and bury it in mulch for 12 months.