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Tree stump issue

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Steve_1, Aug 28, 2010.

  1. Steve_1

    Steve_1 Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi

    Hopefully someone can adivse.

    We have had a tree chopped down, and the stump is approx 600mm girth at 700mm high, and we were intending to use the stump within a new patio'd area, using the stump as a base for a table. We were told by the tree surgeon the tree (wiilow) was dying (we had it taken down, as it was over hanging the neighbours garden and branches were falling onto their outbuilding roof).

    It was taken down about 4/6 months ago, and we have had some serious foliage, sprouting from the sides, to the extent it now looks like a bush.

    How can we stop the foliage from sprouting, but keep the bark intact, and also should we apply something to the top of the stump??

    Suggestions of an organic nature would be more seriously considered.

    thanks
     
    Steve_1, Aug 28, 2010
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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    Not sure there is an organic answer.

    You basically want a dead tree stump, of willow, to retain the bark, and not use a herbicide.

    Not something I've tried but willow is not the most durable of woods, so once dead its likely to be taken over by fungi.

    I wish you luck, but cant see the idea working for long.:skp::)
     
    pete, Aug 28, 2010
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  3. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    Hi Steve,

    Welcome to GC.

    I agree with Pete. Willow is not the type of tree that you want to keep the stump. We have willow trees in our garden and have some experience with them. To do what you want you will need to do two things that are not particularly successful with willow.

    Killing it off organically is a non-starter. Killing it off with chemicals is also very difficult. This is made even more difficult because the authorities have banned so many of the stronger killers. Even using strong killers didn't work very well with the trees we wanted to get rid of.

    If you are able to kill it off then you will need to preserve it because it rots very easily once it is dead as it is not very hard wood.

    My suggestion would be to remove it as it will get lots of creepy crawlies in it if you do manage to kill it off. We have kept one of our cut willows purely for that reason.

    If you are going to remove it then don't cut the stump down first as you will need that for leverage when getting it out.

    Sorry about the bad news :(. Good luck :thumb:
     
    shiney, Aug 29, 2010
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  4. Steve_1

    Steve_1 Apprentice Gardener

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    Sounds like best to remove. I think I'll have to get someone in to grind the stump out
     
    Steve_1, Aug 29, 2010
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  5. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

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    [​IMG] Steve.. I know you are not keen to use chemicals, but to kill off all the new bushy growth & leave in situ you could drill holes in the top of the stump & pour in some SBK & then seal the holes with either putty or silicone sealant.. That way it will all stay sealed inside & not harmfull to humans or birds or animals.. You will then have a stump with bark on for a while but inevitably as it really starts to rot away the bark will be one of the 1st things to fall off, but you will still have the grain of the actual wood to look at as a feature.. :gnthb:

    Or of course you could get a tree surgeon in to grind out the stump, it can be quite costly & of course they will need access for the stump grinding machine.. Maybe get a couple of estimates & see what the difference will be... :wink: Good luck whichever method you choose... :thmb:
     
    Marley Farley, Aug 29, 2010
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  6. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Head Gardener

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    Even after killing it off it will decay...unevenly. The last to rot will be the "heartwood" in the centre of the stump, so there will come a time when it will look really ugly.
     
    Doghouse Riley, Aug 29, 2010
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