Ground-down tree stump sprouting

getthemax

We had a False Acacia cut down from our lawn last autumn. The stump was ground down to about 6-8" below ground level. The diameter of the tree at ground level was about 8".

We're now getting the tree forcing up the lawn over the ground-down stump, and we're also getting sprouts from the tree all over the lawn, up to about 15 foot away. I'm assuming that the tree is sending out runners from the stump in a desperate attempt to survive.

Other than digging the stump out I can't think of any other way to stop this. I've looked at what's on offer at Garden Centres, and tree stump removers seem to have to be applied quite quickly after the tree has been cut down.

Has anyone any experience of this problem and managed to fix it, or any bright ideas on how to win the battle?

cootambear

Try drilling some holes in it to encourage tree pests. Ive not read about this, just thought of it lol. Maybe u could apply neat weedkiller in the holes?

hethmar

Well, you could dig it right out, hard work but it would be the result you want. We had this with a big old tree stump, the centre was a bit rotten - I seem to remember OH burnt it out slowly over a couple of days.

forgotmyname

I have looked into this recently, Cheap option drill some holes in it and fill them with salt.

Lots of variations on this, epsom salts, caustic soda, engine oil, Lots of alternatives.

amcluesent

>Other than digging the stump out<

Confused. If you had an 8" stump ground down 8" below the surface, I'm amazed that the tree has grown back with such vigour from the root run. Was the stump really ground out or simply cut flush before being grassed over?

Davesnave

Decorative robinias are often grafted on to a more vigorous rootstock, so when they are cut down, dormant buds on the rootstock are stimulated to produce suckers. In this situation, new trees will emerge at some distance from the original tree, even in neighbouring gardens!

Sorry to bring you this warning, but attacking the original stump may not solve anything. It depends what the rootstock was. You can find more info by Googling.

The good news is that the vigour of the tree is likely to be less than that of those in the horror stories from places like Australia.:)

getthemax

Yes, I did a bit of googling yesterday and didn't like what I read :eek:

The stump was ground down below soil level, but I can't remember how deep to be honest, probably about 6-8".

Weedkiller on the shoots kills them, but others re-appear just as quickly. I think I'll attack the stump by drilling into it and treating with a stump killer and perhaps try a lawn-friendly brushwood/bramble killer on the sprouting saplings.