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How to kill a tree root

BluesBlues Posts: 49
in Problem solving
Just had a 10ft conifer cut down to ground level and thought I'd ask you guys if there's anything I can do to kill the root 
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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Drill holes in it and use SBK brushwood killer poured into the holes.
  • TheVanguardTheVanguard Posts: 136
    edited October 2020
    We had a very large conifer cut down, (higher than our house) the tree surgeon said it wouldn’t grow back...he was right. 
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    I inherited Hawthorne stumps that were years old. Decided to plant them up as they were not rotting. Drilled holes and planted with Sempervivium and rockery plants, its starting to rot down now.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I've never known a conifer reshoot from the roots if cut down at the base.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes the conifer won't regrow, but if you want the root/stump out completely, @fidgetbones' method is the one to use, and we're at the right time of year for it.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    That stuff is ok if you have a few years to wait, but I wanted a slightly kinder alternative.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    The only kind alternative, is either leave it to rot on its own, as Dove says, it won't regrow, or you set to with a spade and a mattock,  and a tube of radian B for later.
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 5,287
    Depends on how much of a rush you are in.😁
  • BluesBlues Posts: 49
    Thanks for sharing your suggestions, It wasn't the regrowth top side I was concerned  about more like the roots would still keep going. I took down a 40ft cherry tree five years ago and struggled a bit removing the root but I was only 75 then and a lot fitter.    I can't see me tackling the conifers roots, they can stay put.  I like the idea of drilling holes  and putting in some rockery plants, if I get fed up with looking at the stump I might just do that  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's an ideal way of making a feature of it, and it will gradually break down. I did something similar with an old dead tree that was here when I moved in. A cherry possibly. Cut it down and left the stump, and it forms part of the tiny pond and it's surroundings now as it breaks down  :)

    The roots of the conifer themselves will give no problem now.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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