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Advice Please

Last post 23-07-2009 6:40 PM by bigsusan55. 3 replies.

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  • 05/07/2009 06:07 PM
    • Hosta
    • UK
    • 21 Sep 2008
    • 37
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    We have had two conifer trees cut down but the roots and stump are still there. They were very close to front wall and its difficult to dig them out. Was thinking we could cut the stump down so it wasnt above the soil and kill the roots. How do you kill the roots? Do the roots need killing? We plan to lay turf over where they were, will this work? Nothing grew beneath them before - apart from jaggy weeds !!

    These trees has been in ground about 16yrs and were fairly large - not sure of the size of roots.

    Your advice would be appreciated, thanks.

  • 05/07/2009 10:06 PM
    In reply to
    • Phot's-Moll
    • The sunny South coast.
    • 06 Jan 2007
    • 3,333
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     If you lay turf directly over the stump then the grass will have nothing to get its roots into and will die.

    Whether you think you can do a thing, or think you cannot, you are right.
  • 05/07/2009 11:16 PM
    In reply to
    • Hosta
    • UK
    • 21 Sep 2008
    • 37
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    Sorry, should have also said if we get it cut back to below ground level was thinking of putting a layer of maybe 2 or 3 inches of soil, then turf it.
  • 23/07/2009 06:40 PM
    In reply to
    • bigsusan55
    • North-West London
    • 14 May 2009
    • 144
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    Posts can get left behind here!  If they are not answered quickly they end up on the next page and never see the light of day again.  Anyway, in answer to your question, no, 2 - 3 inches of soil isn't enough.  You might get grass to grow to start with, but any hint of dry weather and it will die off.  You need get it out, if necessary by hiring a stumpgrinder.

    There are a couple of other problems with leaving it in the ground and grassing over.  One is that as it rots the ground will sink.  The other is that the dying stump and roots will act as a breeding ground for nasties, particularly fungal growth.  So you will end up with (at best) crops of toadstools, or (at worst) big dead patches where the fungal growth has killed off the grass roots.

    Alternatively, what about rethinking your garden plans and leaving it there, but growing things round it.  You could even stand a pot on it for a while, until it starts to rot.  You will probably get some fungus growing doing this as well, but it probably won't cause as much damage as to grass.

    Happy digging!

    Big Susan