razorbladetherapy
10-30-2004, 02:24 AM
Trees are a major part of the landscape around our homes. They enhance the beauty of our homes as well as shade them from the hot summer's sun . Unfortunately, when a tree dies, the homeowner is forced to go through the expense of having the tree removed. In many instances, the upper portion of the tree is removed and the homeowner is left with an unsightly stump. There are no cheap, easy and quick methods of removing tree stumps, but here are some helpful hints on what can be done.
If you have the patience, rotting is probably the cheapest and easiest method of stump removal. Rotting or decaying is a process by which fungi break down wood. Fungi do not have chlorophyll and therefore cannot make food like green plants. They obtain their food from other sources such as wood stumps.
The decaying process can be accelerated by supplying the fungi with warm temperatures and moisture. We can do little to control the temperature; however, we can keep the stump moist by watering.
Decay can also be hastened by boring large vertical holes at least l-inch in diameter into the stump. These holes expose more wood surface to the wood-decaying fungi. The addition of a small amount of fertilizer will also speed the decay process. However, avoid adding large quantities of fertilizer to the stump. Fungi like green plants can be burned when over-fertilized. The speed of decay will depend greatly on the species of tree. The wood of some species such as cypress, cedar, mulberry and locust is very resistant to attack by fungi and will take much longer to decay.
The quickest method of stump removal is simply digging and cutting the stump out of the ground. This process requires a strong back and may involve many hours of hard work. The procedure consists of digging a ditch or trench around the stump from 1 to 2 feet wide and 1 to 2 feet deep, severing the roots with an axe, and dragging the stump from the hole.
Burning has long been a method of stump removal. However, because of strict local fire ordinances on burning and the fact that this method can be dangerous, other methods of stump removal should be used.
Another way to have a tree stump removed is to call a tree surgeon or tree removal service. They have machines which will remove the stump by grinding it into small chips. The process takes only a few minutes but may be expensive.
There are chemicals offered for sale which claim to be effective in stump removal. Some of these chemicals have been tested and found ineffective. There are no magical chemicals on the market which will dissolve a stump in a few days.
If you don't feel like going through the hassle of removing a tree stump, make good use of it in your landscape. A tree stump can be made into a very interesting container for growing plants. Pot plants placed on a tree stump will help it to blend into the landscape.
If you have the patience, rotting is probably the cheapest and easiest method of stump removal. Rotting or decaying is a process by which fungi break down wood. Fungi do not have chlorophyll and therefore cannot make food like green plants. They obtain their food from other sources such as wood stumps.
The decaying process can be accelerated by supplying the fungi with warm temperatures and moisture. We can do little to control the temperature; however, we can keep the stump moist by watering.
Decay can also be hastened by boring large vertical holes at least l-inch in diameter into the stump. These holes expose more wood surface to the wood-decaying fungi. The addition of a small amount of fertilizer will also speed the decay process. However, avoid adding large quantities of fertilizer to the stump. Fungi like green plants can be burned when over-fertilized. The speed of decay will depend greatly on the species of tree. The wood of some species such as cypress, cedar, mulberry and locust is very resistant to attack by fungi and will take much longer to decay.
The quickest method of stump removal is simply digging and cutting the stump out of the ground. This process requires a strong back and may involve many hours of hard work. The procedure consists of digging a ditch or trench around the stump from 1 to 2 feet wide and 1 to 2 feet deep, severing the roots with an axe, and dragging the stump from the hole.
Burning has long been a method of stump removal. However, because of strict local fire ordinances on burning and the fact that this method can be dangerous, other methods of stump removal should be used.
Another way to have a tree stump removed is to call a tree surgeon or tree removal service. They have machines which will remove the stump by grinding it into small chips. The process takes only a few minutes but may be expensive.
There are chemicals offered for sale which claim to be effective in stump removal. Some of these chemicals have been tested and found ineffective. There are no magical chemicals on the market which will dissolve a stump in a few days.
If you don't feel like going through the hassle of removing a tree stump, make good use of it in your landscape. A tree stump can be made into a very interesting container for growing plants. Pot plants placed on a tree stump will help it to blend into the landscape.