I've got a bit of a headache with these Crepe Myrtles the previous owners planted way too close to my house. They cut them down to the ground, but left the roots in place. Now, every year, I'm battling these stubborn shoots sprouting up around the stumps. I just spent a frustrating hour and a half digging up one root, which was about 2 inches in diameter, and it seems to be heading straight for the foundation! I'm really hoping there's a better solution than calling in a stump removal service. Any tips?
3 Answers
If you're looking for something simple, just try using salt. Cheap water softener salt works well. Pour it on the stump and cover it with dirt. It can help kill off any stubborn roots below!
One method that worked great for me was cutting the stump down to the ground, then using a hefty drill bit to make deep holes in the center of each stump. I poured some RoundUp into the holes, and to my relief, they didn’t come back with any shoots. Might be worth giving that a go!
Had a similar issue with a Crepe Myrtle that the builder put in. It ‘died’ on me, so I yanked the whole thing out, including the root ball. Fast forward three years, and I see a little branch sprouting up where I thought I'd gotten it all. Turns out it was another Crepe Myrtle! I decided to move it elsewhere, and now it’s thriving. So even if you think you’ve got all the roots, a missed one can still surprise you. These trees are tougher than they look!