The best way to deal with the roots really depends on the size of the roots and whether they go down or spread sideways. What has worked well for me in the past is to leave about 3 foot of trunk to use as a lever, dig the soil away around the stump until I reach root, then I generally start cutting the roots on one side with an axe and use the trunk as a lever to loosen the roots.
As you have already cut down to ground level, I think the best way would still be to dig all round to expose the roots then cut through them either with loppers, a pruning saw or an axe depending on root size. You may still need to dig under the root ball to loosen the entire thing to remove it.
Sound advice Liriodendron - especially being able to wiggle a narrower blade into tight spaces. I am also going to look at a mattock following your advice to jackrussell as I have just cut down a Spotted laurel to make way for something else and its stumps are there defying me!
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
I bought some cheap n cheerful Spear and Jackson loppers and the pruning saw was a bonus in the pack. Certainly not expensive and absolutely brilliant.
As Liri says it gets in to congested places and also it doesn't flex if the going gets a bit tougher. It saves me hawking my chainsaw all the way down the garden for just a couple of branches.
Now I've discovered that Wolf Garten do one for their stick. I would certainly consider that if I have to replace this one.
Great idea, Ladybird! I like the way it has 2 "blades" at right angles for chopping and levering. I'd had a pickaxe for years, but the mattock is far superior for gardeners I reckon - and saves bending the spade (husband take note!).
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
Sorry, Ladybird, only just opened my emails today and found this notification. My mattock is a standard size one which I guess will be 5lb. Perhaps you need to pick one up and wield it a bit... as with most heavy tools, the weight gives extra "oomph", but you need to be reasonably fit to get the rhythm of using it which doesn't put strain on shoulders etc. (You don't need to be very big though. I'm 4'11" tall...)
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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The best way to deal with the roots really depends on the size of the roots and whether they go down or spread sideways. What has worked well for me in the past is to leave about 3 foot of trunk to use as a lever, dig the soil away around the stump until I reach root, then I generally start cutting the roots on one side with an axe and use the trunk as a lever to loosen the roots.
As you have already cut down to ground level, I think the best way would still be to dig all round to expose the roots then cut through them either with loppers, a pruning saw or an axe depending on root size. You may still need to dig under the root ball to loosen the entire thing to remove it.
Sound advice Liriodendron - especially being able to wiggle a narrower blade into tight spaces. I am also going to look at a mattock following your advice to jackrussell as I have just cut down a Spotted laurel to make way for something else and its stumps are there defying me!
I bought some cheap n cheerful Spear and Jackson loppers and the pruning saw was a bonus in the pack. Certainly not expensive and absolutely brilliant.
As Liri says it gets in to congested places and also it doesn't flex if the going gets a bit tougher. It saves me hawking my chainsaw all the way down the garden for just a couple of branches.
Now I've discovered that Wolf Garten do one for their stick. I would certainly consider that if I have to replace this one.
Great idea, Ladybird! I like the way it has 2 "blades" at right angles for chopping and levering. I'd had a pickaxe for years, but the mattock is far superior for gardeners I reckon - and saves bending the spade (husband take note!).
Brain picking again Liriodendron re mattock. Do I go for a 5lb one or a mini 500gm one?
Sorry, Ladybird, only just opened my emails today and found this notification. My mattock is a standard size one which I guess will be 5lb. Perhaps you need to pick one up and wield it a bit... as with most heavy tools, the weight gives extra "oomph", but you need to be reasonably fit to get the rhythm of using it which doesn't put strain on shoulders etc. (You don't need to be very big though. I'm 4'11" tall...)
Thats great advice Liriodendron. I'm 5'1" so the big bad boy is the one I will go for. Thank you very much indeed.
You're very welcome, Ladybird!