Tree stump removal

Although tree stumps can be left in the ground after felling, and covered with sprawling plants, such as herbaceous clematis, this can lead to problems with suckering where new shoots arise from the trunk and roots.

Completely dead stumps won't form suckers, but they can play host to root diseases such as honey fungus and, as such, aren't worth leaving in and taking the risk.

Physical removal of the stump is the best solution. Paying a specialist to grind out after felling is the most convenient way. (see our add in the Yellow Pages).

• Grubbing out by hand or mini-excavator removes the majority of the root system, but the desposal problem of what to do with the leftover stump (skips are exspensive), and the machine will leave a large hole.
• Alternatively, machines known as stump grinders will mechanically grind out the main root plate, leaving a pile of woodchip. This can be left to fill in the hole, used as a mulch in other areas of the garden or taken away by the contractors. Specify which of these you would prefer before the work is started and be sure to have any diseased wood removed completely. It is also worth specifying how deep you would like them to grind out the stump. Shallow grinding (15-20cm/6-8in) is normally sufficient for laying turf, but you should allow for deeper (30cm/12in or more) if replanting or landscaping. Some roots will inevitably be left in the ground but the majority should eventually rot down.
• Pesticides (which are becoming environmentally questionable) could be used straight after felling which will kill off the stump preventing the emergence of suckers. But the dead stump will still take many years to rot away.