ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 11, 1996 TAG: 9607110026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: hoein' & growin
SOURCE: DIANE RELF
One of the most irksome problems to confront any homeowner is what to do with an unsightly tree stump. Removal can be a time-consuming chore. There is no easy or magical way of getting rid of stumps, nor is any single method best for all situations. There are no known chemicals effective in destroying tree stumps. Perhaps you can find a helpful solution among these suggestions.
It is not easy work to grub and chop out large stumps, especially if a tap root is present, yet this continues to be the simplest method for removing small stumps.
A faster method than grubbing is to cut the stump off a foot or so below ground level using a power saw. This involves digging a trench a foot and a half deep and equally as wide completely around the stump to provide sufficient room to work. Thoroughly chip off all bark at the cutting level to eliminate any dirt or stones which would dull the saw or damage the teeth. Arborists, tree surgeons, or landscape contractors can do the sawing very quickly and inexpensively when the stump has been trenched and cleaned up as described above.
Consider burning out the stump. Less time, work and materials will be needed to burn out stumps if two points are remembered. First, keep the fire under the stump rather than against the sides of the trench. Dig and chop a hole downward, underneath and toward the center of the stump. Make the hole large enough to hold kindling to ignite the stump. Second, provide enough draft and air to keep the fire burning briskly. Do this by drilling one or more holes near the center of the stump and down to the air passage dug underneath. The more holes and the larger they are the better.
Try to wedge open a split across the stump. Use kindling or charcoal to set the stumps afire. It takes some time to burn out larger stumps. Select a day when you can stick with the burning job until the fire is completely out. Check with your fire department for restrictions on burning in your county or town. Local ordinances ban outdoor fires in many localities.
Stump-removing machines provide the fastest method and cause the least disturbance to lawns and landscaped grounds. Check the Yellow Pages of your telephone directory, or ask tree surgeons or arborists to find owners of stump-removing machines in your vicinity.
Nature disposes of tree stumps through insects, bacteria and fungi. This takes time but the action can be hastened by sprinkling small amounts of high-nitrogen fertilizers on the stump several times a year. Keep the stump slightly moist and shaded by covering it with lawn clippings, rotten sawdust, wood chips, or other mulching materials. Stumps of soft-wooded species like Virginia and loblolly pine, red maple, yellow poplar, willow, red gum and true poplar rot away in a few years. Others, such as oak, hickory, sycamore and sugar maple are more durable and decompose rather slowly.
Another method is to cover the stump with rotted wood from old stumps or logs. This inoculates the stump with decay-producing bacteria and fungi.
Or, enclose the stump with some kind of attractive fencing and use it as the center of a compost pile until it has rotted away. It is important to chop or break off any sprouts that appear.
Stumps will also rot if you treat them with tree-killing compounds available at most hardware stores or garden supply centers. Only a small amount is needed per stump. Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions as the chemicals are poisonous to humans and pets.
LENGTH: Medium: 67 linesby CNB