Tree roots die when tree removed?

[paulsmith]

Hello,

I have a large tree near my house. The roots are causing problems with the sewer. If I cut the tree back to a stump, will the roots die away?

Thanks.

[mystress]

Hi there,

It really depends on the sort of tree it is,but usually not.

[apw171]

If you paint the stump with creosote it will rot away over time. Better still Wikinsons (Wilkos) sell tree stump remover in the gardening section which you brush on. Or you can hire a tree stump grinder from a company such as handi hire or similar.

Cheers. Phil

[Samurai]

If you cut the tree down to stump it may well encourage regrowth and root spread. Tree roots can be spread to 1.5 times the mature height of the tree.

Tree roots can extract large quantities of water from the subsoil and this can lead to subsidence of nearby buildings as clay subsoils shrink.

Cutting a tree down can create heave in buildings that are within this distance particularly in shrinkable clay  as the clay subsoil will expand as the tree no longer requires the amount of water that it formerly did.

I suggest that you seek advice from a registered arboriculturalist on managing the tree to reduce risk.