Hey everyone! I've just cut down a few small trees with a circumference of about 60 cm (around 20 cm in diameter) and I'm trying to figure out the best way to remove the stumps. I've heard some people say that if you drill holes into the stump and fill them with Epsom salts, it'll help the stump rot away. Is that true? And I'm also wondering if it's okay to plant something new in that same area afterward?
3 Answers
It might take a solid year or more for stumps that size to rot away, regardless of how you approach it. Digging them out would be tough since they’re right next to a council transformer—better check for any underground cables! If you're set on removing them, you could always hire a stump grinder. That'll get rid of them without much hassle, just get a few quotes from local services.
Honestly, I've had great success with a different method—burning the stump! I used an old oil drum, cut it to size, placed it over the stump, and let it burn for a few days. Got rid of the whole thing, then just mixed in some compost afterward and it was ready to plant. You could try that, but just be careful with the transformer nearby!
Burning them sounds cool, but yeah, with the transformer so close, I’d probably avoid that. Safety first, right?
Using Epsom salts might not be the best idea if you're looking to actually rot those stumps. In fact, it could just encourage any sprouts that pop up! You might be better off burying the stumps under soil. What kind of trees did you cut down? Some trees are more likely to resprout than others, so drilling holes and using something designed to kill stumps, like SBK products or Ecoplugs, could be more effective. Burning them out is another option, but be cautious—safety first!
Thanks for the info! I cut down Fir trees, and I don’t mind waiting for a while for them to rot, but I’m really hoping to plant something soon after too.
Good to know! I was worried about damaging anything underground. Sounds like I might need to call in the pros.