Tree Removal Question
 

Next to our new home there is a pine-type tree about 20' tall and about 6" wide at the biggest part of the trunk. Its in a bad place as the sewage line runs out of the house close by and I don't want the roots eventually looking for water so I plan on taking it down.
My question is how can I be sure the roots are dead after I've gotten the tree down? Is there anything I can use on the trunk to take care of the roots?

You can use a stump remover. But, it's a long process.

First you let the stump dry out for 6 months. Then you drill holes and apply the powder. Later, they recommend you pouring kerosene into the stump and burn it.

Guess I'll have to go with the stump remover chemical as burning is not an option. Its too close to the house and I'm in a residential area.

Thanks

The ad says that if you light up the stump with kerosene, it smolders, but is no danger.

You can buy this at Home Depot.

http://www.eburgess.com/detail.asp?pid=8460

You can use Tordon- main ingredient is 2,4d or Garlon-main ingredient is triclopyr. Any brand with those ingredients will do the same job. You apply it to the stump immediately after cutting. use a paint brush and soak the cambium layer. Be sure to read the labels.

I've also used Roundup on smaller trees after cutting.

If you cut the tree down, the roots most likely will not be an issue.

With a healthy root system the tree can and will regenerate growth and continue to live.

I've never seen an evergreen tree regenerate from roots. Deciduous trees, yes. Evergreens? not that I've ever heard. Cut the trunk down to ground level and forget about it. It's only a 6" stump, take an axe to it. It will rot up and disappear. Even the roots of a deciduous tree will die if you keep the new shoots mowed off.

I've never seen an evergreen tree regenerate from roots. Deciduous trees, yes. Evergreens? not that I've ever heard. Cut the trunk down to ground level and forget about it. It's only a 6" stump, take an axe to it. It will rot up and disappear. Even the roots of a deciduous tree will die if you keep the new shoots mowed off.


Right!:thumbsup:

As a Forest Technician/Urban Forester I have to agree that after it's cut as low to the ground as you can get it, forget about it, cover it with some soil and it'll rot away, roots and all. It may even leave a bit of a depression in a few years after it's completely decayed.

Coniferous trees don't resprout from the roots.

They do here. But a lot of rules don't seem to apply here. I've seen Norfolks do it, and Ironwoods are the worst, especially for root suckers.