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Killing Stubborn Stumps |
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-- Baby Boomers -- Family - -- Green -- Home and Auto -- -- In Critical Condition -- Lifestyle -- -- Just Starting Out -- Money -- |
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Killing Stubborn Stumps
It Won't Die Any suggestions as to how to get rid of a small tree trunk (about two inches in diameter) in my yard. Chopping it down does not do the trick; it just keeps growing back. Appreciate any feedback. Epsom Salt May Work The way to get stumps out of the yard in to pour a solution of Epsom salt on it. It is suppose to help destroy the root of the tree. Or Maybe Rock Salt Just heard from a man in the tree trimming business that "ice cream" salt on the remains of a stump will kill it. You may have to take it all the way to the ground (or lower if you can) then put the salt on the stump and cover with dirt. Using Copper Nails When I was young my father had some friends that had to go around killing trees for various reasons. They would drive copper nails in the trees to kill them. Hope that works. Bacteria, Fire or Chopping Are Options Our local farm supply store sells a product just for this. It's called "Stump-Rid" or something along that line. It contains bacteria to cause the stump to eventually rot and decay. The old tried and true method is to chop into it repeatedly. Set it on fire and continue to add long burning items such as pieces of rubber, other wood, etc., till the stump is burned away. If the stump is only 2 inches wide, then possibly chopping into it repeatedly (till it's nearly mush) and leaving it alone a few days. Then it could be dug up out of the ground and the nuisance gone. No Light, No Stump The best way that I've found to get rid of stumps (or noxious plants such as poison ivy) is to cut it back as far as you can (down to the ground if possible) and cover it with a black plastic feed store bucket. You could also use a 5-gallon paint bucket or if it's a small plant, a coffee-can. I put something heavy on the bucket to keep it from blowing off, such as a potted plant. The buckets from the feed store are generally free and you can use them to make a pond or to plant in when they have finished their job. The buckets keep light from getting to the plant, which of course, is what is making the stump re-sprout. Effective Use of Buttermilk My neighbor decided my small corkscrew willow was fouling up his sewage line. He was always using his "snake" to clear his line. He asked to get rid of my tree, which was less than 2 feet tall. I wanted to cry, but I was a good neighbor and said yes. He cut it back, and his wife rubbed a mixture of buttermilk and salt to get rid of the tree entirely. It worked well. Guess what--they still have sewage troubles. He has apologized to me several times, but I have never found another corkscrew willow. For the Stubborn Stumps Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) solution will kill out the tree stump. Caustic Soda should be available at any hardware/paint shop. Make a solution (1 part caustic soda + 2 parts water) and pour the solution over the tree stump. It may be necessary to apply the solution three-four times before the tree stump is completely removed. Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips @stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers! Other Articles to Stretch Your Day and Your Dollar Give Yourself the Green Light Shout® Color Catchers™ Cleaning Grout Winterize for Savings Home Remodeling
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