What to do with tree stumps? Plants to hide?

helping_hubby · 18 July 2008 at 10:36AM

We've just moved home and one of the first things we've done is had 6 huge conifer trees cut down that were very close to the house. We're now left with 6 tree stumps in a row at the front of the front garden. I got a quote this morning for having them grinded down and it was £180. Our budget for doing the house up is spreading very thin and other safety issues in the house are more important.

I had wanted to put some sort of pivet hedge or easily prunable bushes where the trees were to give some privacy to the house.

Is there anything that for now will grow around the stumps to hide them?

Does anyone know how long it takes for tree stumps to rot?

Chazpots · 18 July 2008 at 10:42AM

Not something I'm familiar with but found this on another thread. Is it any good to you?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080208024138AABT7e9

Hope this helps,

Chaz

helping_hubby · 18 July 2008 at 10:49AM

I wonder how much hard work it would be to dig. The smallest one is 4 inches, the largest is about 14 inches.

We could just do a little bit each day. It's just the fact that there are 6 of them is a bit off putting. But they are quite ugly.

I'll give digging a go later today on the smaller one.

I suppose in a years time we could afford to have them grinded. I just don't want to live with them like this for a year. I'll try digging. Will let you know how I get on.

Furpurse · 18 July 2008 at 12:32PM

We had to cut down 40 of them when we first moved in. Two of them were quite big (id say about 14 inches). Just the stumps left now.
My dad came round and got rid of one of the big ones in about an hour. He just dug around the stump until he reached the roots and then used an axe and a small electric saw.
I have got one of the small ones up myself. If you have enough space around the stump then with some perciverance you should be able to get it out.
Four of mine are against a wall so im not going to bother with those. I have planted some Sugar Cane Grass to block the view of next doors concrete garage where the 4 furs once stood.

We have 1 stump that looks quite attractive with ivy growing around it. It didnt take long for the ivy to grow and cover the whole stump either.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted · 18 July 2008 at 6:57PM

You can rent something for the job fairly cheaply from HSS hire. I'd also suggest a session with the training guy as you don't really want to go around wielding a stump grinder without adequate training first. My ex happens to do this kind of thing for HSS, so I'm recommending it because it makes sense, not to help him out!

Did you know that archaeologists are still digging up tree stumps from neolithic times?

I'd also suggest looking into specialist plants websites for mushroom kits - you might be able to drill holes and impregnate a stump with really pricey mushrooms.

helping_hubby · 19 July 2008 at 9:10AM

Well we attempted the digging yesterday. It was really hard work, but I figure a little a day won't hurt. I managed to expose and saw through some roots of one stump. The roots are huge. 2 - 3 inches in diameter. A relative is going to lend us a small electric saw and an axe. That should help a bit.

If this manual way fails, I'll look into hiring. That's not something i even thought you could do.

Growing mushrooms scares me, but what a great idea...I'll have a google about that.

jackieb · 19 July 2008 at 9:17AM

My dh cut down a leylandi when we moved in 4 weeks ago. The root is massive. It looks like a huge piece of root ginger. There's no way we're going to be able to dig it out. He was going to drill into them and put some root killer into the stump.

There are several trees in the back garden that have been cut down in the past and their stumps have rotted and they're going to come out easier.

MrsE_2 · 19 July 2008 at 9:41AM

helping_hubby wrote: »

We've just moved home and one of the first things we've done is had 6 huge conifer trees cut down that were very close to the house. We're now left with 6 tree stumps in a row at the front of the front garden. I got a quote this morning for having them grinded down and it was £180. Our budget for doing the house up is spreading very thin and other safety issues in the house are more important.

I had wanted to put some sort of pivet hedge or easily prunable bushes where the trees were to give some privacy to the house.

Is there anything that for now will grow around the stumps to hide them?

Does anyone know how long it takes for tree stumps to rot?

SNAP!!!!

But I'm amazed you said only £180, I haven't had a quote, but I guess mine would be a lot more.

Maybe my trees were much taller, they were the heigth of a two story house. So that would mean bigger stups & roots I guess?

I thought I was going to have to pay something horrendios to get them out.

elsien · 19 July 2008 at 10:37AM

If you leave them, the stumps take years to rot down - I had some cut down a few years ago and they're still good as new. (they're too close to the fence to be able to dig out -That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.)
The other alternative to pretty them up for now is to stick some pots on top - takes the eye away from the stump and onto the flowers. Unless you really improve the soil around where the tree were, you might find it's not much use for growing plants in anyway at the moment.
Good luck with the digging.

MrsE_2 · 19 July 2008 at 10:43AM

elsien wrote: »

If you leave them, the stumps take years to rot down - I had some cut down a few years ago and they're still good as new. (they're too close to the fence to be able to dig out -That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.)
The other alternative to pretty them up for now is to stick some pots on top - takes the eye away from the stump and onto the flowers. Unless you really improve the soil around where the tree were, you might find it's not much use for growing plants in anyway at the moment.
Good luck with the digging.

Mine are near the fence too.

I will have to get mine removed at some point as I want the front totally hard covered, with no grass or beds left.

bella165 · 19 July 2008 at 5:32PM

jackieb wrote: »

. There's no way we're going to be able to dig it out. He was going to drill into them and put some root killer into the stump.

.

:eek::eek::eek::eek: i hope you know nothing will then grow in that spot for approx 5 years if you do that,
its time consuming if you do it your self,but if you split the stump in half as they have quite week roots it will be easy to split the roots down,insted of trying to get it all out in one go,
best of luck to you,

pps we have mushrooms growing on our at the bottom or the garden,and there yummy when picked fresh and they wont harm the kids if they eat them raw

What to do with tree stumps? Plants to hide?

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