Help with Tree Stump.

[Peter Armstrong]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0FZyVrACVc

 

[green1]

[QUOTE 2415092, member: 9609"]Any fire experts here (addictfreak) (I don't seem to be able to tag the name with the @ symbol)

If I covered the fence with a couple of sheets of plasterboard, packed around the tree with coal - would the fence survive.?[/quote]
Fire doesn't work with tree stumps, its the most moist part of the tree. You'll just char the surface.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Fire doesn't work with tree stumps, its the most moist part of the tree. You'll just char the surface.

But you'll have a lovely eucalyptus aroma.

GC

 

[glasgowcyclist]

[QUOTE 2415100, member: 9609"]The tree was dead when I felled it three years ago, and the quality of the roots is surprising, hardly any signs of rot.

When you mention a tap root, is this something that goes vertically downwards ? (which would seem a little unusual)[/quote]

Yes.

GC

 

[green1]

[QUOTE 2415100, member: 9609"]When you mention a tap root, is this something that goes vertically downwards ? (which would seem a little unusual)[/quote]
Yes, it's not unusual (think of a carrot), anything that is a pain to remove tend to have a large tap root. The root system depends on the type of soil. If its deep soil they tend to be deep but narrow, if its clay they tend to be shallower but spread out further.

 

[Beebo]

Also these trees are native to very arid climates, so the tap root helps them get water. Probably not much of an issue up in Scotland!

 

[yello]

A stump grinder perhaps? I've not used one myself, nor even seen one, so can't comment as to effectiveness.

So far, I've been lucky and able to dig out the stumps (4 or 5 now) of trees I've felled. I've another 3 to do, 1 an old cyprus pine... and that'll take some shifting!

 

[tyred]

Dynamite?

 

[Night Train]

I have used a Hi-Lift jack and chain to pull out stumps, not that easy ad it just works as a compound lever and needs something to react against.

Afraid it us going to be more digging and cutting.


I have a beech stump to remove. Fortunately I left a long stump to pull on when I cut it down a few years ago.

 

[AndyRM]

Could you dig enough around it to saw off a chunk at the top so it would be below soil when covered over?

 

[Fnaar]

I'm stumped on this one

 

[PK99]

[QUOTE 2415100, member: 9609"]The tree was dead when I felled it three years ago, and the quality of the roots is surprising, hardly any signs of rot.

When you mention a tap root, is this something that goes vertically downwards ? (which would seem a little unusual)[/quote]

from a us source

About 90 percent of a eucalyptus tree’s roots grow in the top 12 inches of soil. This shallow root system grows rapidly, and along with a strong taproot, the lateral roots are vital to keeping a eucalyptus tree upright. A eucalyptus tree’s taproot must grow down into the soil at least 6 feet to ensure good anchorage. The lateral roots spread out for up to 100 feet to help support the rest of the tree, and this can be an issue for nearby buildings and structures. The roots and rootlets of eucalyptus trees planted in a yard can grow into ditches, clog water pipes, and crack septic tanks and cisterns. The roots of eucalyptus trees planted in an urban environment can damage sidewalks, curbs and gutters. As the shallow eucalyptus roots grow and produce secondary thickening growth, they can heave up paved surfaces above and around them.

I you can't get a stump grinder in, you could get a tree surgeon to work on it with a chain saw? I definitely advise against doing that DIY.

Now, this is almost certainly not an issue wrt Eucalyptus, but leaving tree stump in the ground in a garden is ill advised and they can become a reservoir for honey fungus, which is a Bad Thing.

 

[addictfreak]

[QUOTE 2415092, member: 9609"]Any fire experts here (addictfreak) (I don't seem to be able to tag the name with the @ symbol)

If I covered the fence with a couple of sheets of plasterboard, packed around the tree with coal - would the fence survive.?[/quote]

That will depend on how much heat it produces, you would need to keep an eye on throughout and watch for the fence starting to pyrolyse. If the ground, stump or coal is in anyway damp it could give off an awful lot of smoke, which will annoy the neighbours no end!
If you go for that option, I would keep a good garden hose handy just in case. Put plenty time aside it's likely to take a couple of days if it works!

Chainsaw would be my choice, small pieces at a time and watch for kickbacks from stones or catching the ground. Make sure you have the right PPE.

 

[addictfreak]

I would echo PK99 comments re chainsaws, if you are not familiar with their use.

I was lucky enough to be trained in their use by the forestry commission. Spent a fantastic week in Keilder, working in the forest.

 

[postman]

Don't laugh but this has worked for me.Fill the hole with water,let it drain,fill it up again let it drain over a few days do this again,then start to rock it back and forwards,it is a long and wet job.But you will have to get that tap root cut.It will be hard work,but you will win.