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Tree stump removal

philipsmith2philipsmith2 Posts: 11
in Problem solving
Hi

A large tree was recently cut down in our development but a large portion of the stump remains. It lies next to an electrical box (one of those rectangular green ones) that powers the lighting to the development.

As you can imagine, the roots are substantial; removing it would be tricky, especially when you factor in the electric box. The lighting would be off during the day, but I don't know whether that means there would be no safety concerns.

I'd like to remove the stump, as it would leave a decent area to replant, but am not sure as to the best method for removal.

Any ideas?

Posts

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    You would need a tree surgeon with a stump grinder. Only they would be able to tell you whether they thought it was safe enough to do. Otherwise it will have to be a case of drilling holes into the stump and injecting poison - but that would take upwards of 5 years to have an effect. 
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I’ve done a few stump removals in my time, hard work! Start by carefully (vis possible electric cables) digging a trench around it, and as roots are exposed, cut them off with a strong pair of loppers, cutting a chunk back to allow you spade access. The outward spreading root portions can safely be left in place or you can try pulling them up, working from the inside out. Continue digging and lopping, until you can rock the stump - assuming they have left enough to get hold of - then you will eventually be able to lever it out. Assuming the tree is not such a massive girth that it makes it impossible to shift.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • Jason-3Jason-3 Posts: 391
    I agree 100% with nollie a trench, loppers, heavy duty mattock and a scorpion saw is the way to go..hard work and make take some time but way cheaper and possibly safer ( given the close proximity of the electric box )
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    If the contractors left a large stump it's probably because it was considered to be the safest option.  It's probably not advisable for an amateur to now try to do the job. 
    The lights being off doesn't mean there is no live cable, any more than switching a light off at home disables the entire electrical supply.
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    I suspect it’s more likely, KT53, that the contractors were only contracted to cut down the tree, not remove the stump, because that would have been the cheaper option. I agree caution is essential, which is why I think manual labour and manual tools would be safer as you can feel your way slowly, rather than risk slicing through live cables with any power tool. But Phillip, if you are the least bit doubtful, get professional advice as your life is worth more than a bit of extra planting space!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • The Bald GardenerThe Bald Gardener Posts: 212
    A lot of rules and regulations around excavation/digging, which although they do apply to the average Joe, it would be very uncommon to get a visit from the H&S if you were digging out a stump on your own property I'd imagine.
    I may be wrong but I'd think they would be very interested if you were digging away beside an electrical source without the requisite permits and risk assessments being lodged.  

    Depends how close the box is I suppose, but as an absolute basic necessity if you were going to tackle it I'd be making sure I had a good cable detector to hand and new how to use it.

    I'd be getting the experts in for this I reckon.

    Have you contacted the original contractor to enquire why it was left? As KT53 says, it has more than likely been left for a reason. 
  • JellyfireJellyfire Posts: 1,139
    You could always plant on the stump. I’ve just planted one with ferns, foxgloves, primroses and the like. Can look quite nice 
  • Garden noobGarden noob Posts: 260
    If you decide it's too difficult to attack the stump, plan B could be to work with nature. You can accelerate the decomposition process by increasing the surface area as much as possible (sawing criss crosses in the stump, drilling holes, or splitting with an axe) and placing a compost bin on top. If you keep the bin active and continue to increase the surface area of the stump, it might only take 2-3 years to get rid of it.
  • philipsmith2philipsmith2 Posts: 11
    Thanks so much, everyone.

    Some food for thought here - reckon I'll speak to a tree surgeon, and if they think it's too dangerous, may ask about some of the alternative ideas on here.

    What great place to come for advice - thanks again.
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