Recommend a stump remover/rotter

[JM2]

Hi. I have an approximately 13" diameter freshly cut stump to remove over time.
What are the current recommendations and best techniques to use?
- assuming a proprietary chemical accelerant.

The stump is within a couple of inches of the ground surface and is from a mainly (well was) healthy Cherry Tree.

If allowed to rot (with help) how long could I expect it to take.
I don't need it out *now* but in due course I'd like it levelled.

 

[Safety First]

All wood that will rot away will leave a void and so cause some drop in levels equivalent to
it's mass, to better to get as much out as possible, esp if you plan to build over it I.e. patio etc. Hindsight is easy - manually removing the stump is always easier with leverage of a few feet of trunk to pull/push on with spade mattock combo. Nothing quite as labourous...
As it stands (at 2") you can drill vertically to create many deep wells that will hold water and lead to rotting- your lazy friend. . Lastly, covering with some soil to block light will convince it to die and not perpetually sprout . Cherry is of course a dense hardwood so rotting might take a while.

A stump grinder and operator will cost but is very fast and satisfying esp if you have laboured with a mattock and quit!

As an arborist, I never came across accelerants, not that I deny they exist. So, just guessing- quick lime?! Though kids and pets!

 

[Burnerman]

Even when using a stump killer such as 'Roundup' the stump, although dead, will be there for a long time.
Why not have it ground down to earth level, or otherwise dig it out?
John

 

[Deluks]

Drill lots of holes in it/ have a bonfire on top of it/ lay into it with a sharp axe.

 

[wrathkeg]

Like magiclintel I think a mattock is a great tool for getting stumps out (and loads of other digging jobs). If you do try to dig it out, dig as far as reasonably possible from the trunk. That way any roots are that much thinnner, and easy to chop through with the mattock.

 

[Phil78]

You shouldnt have much problem removing it if its 13" when we used to take them out we used to dig round them with a narrow draining spade and cut through as many roots as poss with and old woodsaw and this usally slackens it off, you shouldnt have a problem removing it.

 

[JM2]

Thanks all, might be having a re-think (although with it cut down so far now it won't be as easy to lever out).

Love the idea of burning it out - why is it I find fire so fascinating?

 

[Burnerman]

It'll be a long time burning it out.....water will still be rising through the stump!
John

 

[r896neo]

Burning them out is quite effective but not really done here in the uk.

Its certainly not doable without specialist equipment. you can of course just build a fire over it but it wouldn't work very well.

They build a sort of dam all around it and then use a big fan to assist the fire and get it mega hot. I'm sure there are some youtube videos of it its really quite interesting

 

[LeadFarmer]

When I had a few stumps to remove I paid a tree surgeon to do it. I think I paid about £100 and he ground them out with one of these...

 

[ntb]

If you want to rot it over time, drill the holes to collect water and keep it moist as mentioned above. You have a plentiful supply of rotting accelerant on tap, particularly if you eat lots of protein. If you are equipped with a flexible spout you can apply directly. If not, you may have to crouch over a bucket to collect it and pour on. Try and fill the holes so that it has chance to soak in.

 

[JM2]

ntb - I wasn't going to use eu natural agents! Bear in mind this tree was at the front of the house.

But more seriously, how deep would you drill the deepest (obviously I've my own limits of bit lengths) 6mm/10mm or breakout the wood cutters ?

 

[HERTS P&D]

Put a compost heap on top of it, it will rot in no time.

Andy

 

[ntb]

Just drill as deep and wide and many as you reasonably can. It's simply to help keep the stump damp. Then add some nitrogen based fertiliser into the holes. Fast rotting needs damp conditions and a good source of nitrogen.