[Rosemary]

We (ie Dan) cut down some trees in the wood where we're going to put some poultry. Is there any way of getting rid of the stumps / roots without digging them out? In the back of my head, there's a thought that there's something you can treat the stump with - or did I dream that?

[luckylady]

No you didn't dream it Rosemary, unless I did too.  We tried treating and retreating a stump with something specifically for that but the bottle is in the garden store. Will check what it is tomorrow if I think on.  TBH though it wasn't particularly effective and the stump is still there albeit a little rotted in the centre.  It has now been relegated to the 'not so important jobs to do' list.     We have pulled out stumps since then with the quad and a very long rope.  Just chop a notch in the stump so the rope doesn't slip and then when the roots are accessible tie it around them also and pull from a safe distance.  Hey presto - job done!  Make sure no-one is near the stump either just in case the rope should snap, Health and Safety and all that.

[luckylady]

Just checked.  Its in a box not a bottle.  Called Tree Stump Killer made by Bayer.  3 sachets for 3 stumps. Just checked stump also - still there! To its credit this product is safe for animals and children be near once dried.  I'm sure there will be other products with harsher results than we have experienced.  Our stump will stay until it either reaches the top of the 'to do' list or it rots away naturally.  Its not in the way so it will probably be the latter. HTH in your plan of attack. 

[Hermit]

Why not leave them there, the chooks will love jumping on and off them.

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi Rosemary,

Two options:

1) Brush the exposed cut stump with a strong solution of Roundup (you should then stay with stump to wait until it dries to avoid animals getting covered in it)

2) We have a new product that is basically a roundup dose contained in a breakable phial that you hammer into a drilled hole in the stump - quick, clean and no waiting around. This was developed for council contractors as they could move on after cutting / treating without having to wait for product to dry - and it can be done in the rain.

3) Or you can spend a fortune at a garden center on something that may not work.

[Mel Rice]

If you are pulling the base of a tree out DONT cut it too short. The guy that cleared our Plum stumps that we had felled at about 2 foot from the base said they should have been over a meter at least....gives more to grab and more leverage.(you can cot another couple of rounds off the stump afterwards'
Ive also seen that the council (or German variety) uses a grinding machine that sort of chews through the stump turning it to sawdust...didnt see the machine in use just results

[robert waddell]

depends on the size of stump       how you remove it     big ones are better taken out with the trunk still attached     small ones can be taken out with a winch    and a hand one at that    then the stump grinder   and has been suggested the chemical way     depends on what you want and  when you want it

[Castle Farm]

Heres the way I do it.

15KG bottle of gas (blue one, as the gas in them is heavier and will sink).

Dig a hole under the stump and run the tube from the bottle under the stump.

Give it a minute or two depending how big the stump is.

Turn the gas off. Take the tube out of the hole and plug it.

Put the bottle a good way away from the stump.(at least 20 yards).

Make a petrol bomb and light it. Throw it at the stump and don't forget to run.

It works for rats and wasps under sheds as well, but you only need about 30 seconds of gas or your shed gets trashed. (Did that once and leant a lesson) 

Oh! and don't smoke while your doing it.
 

[goosepimple]

Hmm, sounds like that might just about remove anything including any nearby buildings and wildlife  - sure I saw that on a Carry On film once  , alternatively Rosemary and Dan, I would get in a tree contractor and his machine for doing what Mel Rice says, depends if you think you'll need the land for an alternative use in the future - if its just for the chooks then  probably a bit of an expense.  Get the piggies in there and put the hens where the piggies are for time being 

[HappyHippy]

I'm sure it was Hilary's mum who said - tin of golden syrup and a tamworth 

Pour the syrup all over the stump and let the pig at it, easier, cheaper and less chemicals that all the above options 

[Glebegrower]

While you can use Root out  or similar it would persist in the wood for quite a while so i wouldnt like to use it in that situation with the chooks .It does work but you need to drill some holes and apply well .

A stump grinder would be the quickest way ,my tree surgeons here use them all the time -unfortunately you are too far away or i could have got someone to do it as a "pj" .tree your local tree surgeons .

what i am doing for some clients is actually getting in appropriate mushroom spores and turning the tree stumps into mushroom logs the mushroom will eventually eat up the stump with the added bonus of delicous mushrooms

[clydesdaleclopper]

Cut them fairly low. drill holes in it and get Dan to pee in the holes. then cover completely with fresh manure.  Ruminant manure works best as it breaks down the cellulose quicker. make sure it stays covered and damp and it will rot down nicely.

[goosepimple]

Yes, heard it's good to pee in your compost heap too.  Clever work that pee 

[Mel Rice]

Ummm its supposed to be male pee to ( my neighbour pees on his heap all the time.... Why is it I always seem to glance that way when he does)
Pee around your plot is supposed to help deter foxes too....not my lady-like stuff though.

[clydesdaleclopper]

I don't think it matters whether it's male or lady pee I just reckoned Dan might have a better aim to get it in the holes though feel free to correct me if I'm wrong