Tree Stumps & Roots

[LOTR]

Three years ago I had to cut down a tree which was only about 10ft from my house and the roots were starting to lift the lawn. I used 'Rootout' on the newly cut stump and covered it with a black bin liner for about 6 months. Unfortunately there are roots and suckers still coming up in the lawn. I know I can't dig out the whole stump, roots 'n' all because it would affect the house and may cause subsidence. How can I stop this happening? What I really want to do is pave the whole lawn as it's become very lumpy with all these roots growing everywhere.

[Eno-missy]

I'm not sure on how you can stop this happening but it's not a good idea to just pave over the lawn without treating the problem as the roots will still penetrate the paving stones!

[woofgang]

If removing the stump would affect you foundations, then you probably shouldn't have cut down the tree. Trees contibute to the water table balance and loss of the tree will leave more free water in the soil. Best bet (but expensive) would be to take advice from someone before doing anything else. You could start with a tree surgeon (registered) and also your local council might be able to help. I was in this position a few years ago and got advice, but eve3ry circ is different and what was right for me may not be right for you.

[norfolk boy]

use a 25mm wood drill bit,drill a hole in the centre of the stump about 8'' deep and fill with round up or if you can get any, creosote.

[Drewhound]

Find the roots the suckers are growing from in the lawn, drill some holes and fill them with SBK (shrub and brush killer). If some are still coming from the stump do the same, but drill the holes just inside the bark, that's where the living wood is

[New Forester]

What kind of tree...? Some kinds sucker very easily, and the suckered plants will not necessarily be connected to the original. In that case you'll have to deal with each in turn, even if you have killed the stump.

[LOTR]

Thanks New Forester. Unfortunately I have no idea what kind of tree it was. It looked like a cherry tree but a) had no blossom and b) the leaves didn't change colour in the Autumn, they just stayed green and then dropped. Any good to you?

[robber1]

norfolk boy seems spot on here. Like he says, drill out the middle as much as you can. The bigger the hole the better, then fill with a mixture of strong weed killer and creosote. I had the same problem (big time) and it worked for me.

[LOTR]

Hi robber1. Thanks very much for your posting. If you and norfolk boy both have the same idea I reckon it's definitely worth a try. I'll let you know how it goes.

[treestump1]

Hi, I am www.treestumpgrinding.co.uk based in Cumbria. if the tree stump is 10ft away from the house you could have this ground out this woundn't affect your house at all how ever in all cases I would reccomend that you ask any contractor doing work at your property to show that they have relavant insurance if you need ant further help or advice if you look on my web page there is a link to email.#i am not giving you this advice with the hope of work because I haven't even got a clue what part of the UK you live in I hope this is of use. Andrew salsibury