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Is there an easier way?
rachael.west300
Posts: 11
Killing myself trying to remove this stump:
Please tell me there's an easier way?
0
Posts
Our local gardening guy waits until several people are in a queue then hires a stump grinder and does them all in a day. Cheaper for him and his customers. Not sure if anyone near you would do the same.
I live in Northern Ireland near Belfast I don't know anyone with a grinder.
I am considering digging more around the stump and then creating a fire.
Rachael, despite being a feminist, I believe you need a man - several would be better. They should cut the tree trunks down to about three feet tall and then use a pick axe, shovels and forks to expose the roots, cutting these as they appear. However, if you are prepared to live with a stump, it is much easier to cut the trunks off about a foot above ground level and use it as a platform for a nice pot.
I would do as Posy suggests - not necessarily getting in some men, there are women who can do these jobs, but possibly not many around when you need one.
Then I would hire a stump grinder from B&Q or Homebase or similar - they're no bigger nor harder to use than a petrol rotor mower or cultivator. Get yourself some goggles and sturdy boots - or find someone who's already got their own and let them get on with the job while you provide bacon sarnies and coffee.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
From your pic it looks like you've made a really good start.
I removed a slightly smaller stump a while back.
I just kept digging around the base, as you've done. Each time you come across a thick root, use an axe or pruning saw to get through it.
Once you can start to wiggle the stump a bit, then you should be able to see the roots underneath that go down, I used a small pruning saw to cut them and the stump was free! I had to dig down about 18" overall, then go underneath.
I found it more frustrating than heavy-going. There seem to be an almost infinite number of roots, but all of a sudden you know there's only one left, and it's very satisfying when the stump pulls free.
Good luck
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.