Kill or not kill tree stumps next to a house?

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

Round-up has no effect on stumps. Use a stump removing chemical which speeds up the decaying process, usually found at local nursery or garden centers.
But grinding is the best and fastest way. One day it's all done.

Roundup is systemic. Let the new shoots grow, until about July, then spray Roundup. It will kill the tree, roots and all.

[tvt2015]

On internet, people show to drill holes into stumps and then pour Round-up to those holes. Does that work or spraying Round-up after letting shoots grow?

[no kudzu]

For the most part Round up will not kill something like a mature tree and certainly not a stump with no leaves on it. There are some other products to rot away stumps but why do you want to get rid of them in the first place? are you wanting to plant something else there/ worried about damage to foundation?

The roots will take some time to rot even if you grind the stumps. And they will not grow without leaves to feed the tree. Roots mainly take up nutrients and water for the leaves to make food. Very little if any food is made in roots.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by tvt2015

On internet, people show to drill holes into stumps and then pour Round-up to those holes. Does that work or spraying Round-up after letting shoots grow?

Copper Sulfate will kill the stump. Same stuff used to clear roots out of sewer lines.

[gunslinger256]

epsom salt is supposed to help chlorophyll production so I wouldn't use it unless you want the tree to grow.

My friend bought a kit to help dissolve tree stumps and the principle ingredient was glyphosate (roundup). drill holes and pour it into the stump.

[tvt2015]

Thanks everyone.

I am actually worrying about damages to foundation. I thought that if I let the stumps (and so their roots) grow, they may damage the foundation in the future. The stumps are a result of a cut of 9-foot maples couple months before (perhaps last December).

If there is an inexpensive way to kill those stumps, it will be good. If they can even be removed so that I have some space to plant other bushes, it will be great. If not, I am fine because my big concern is about the foundation.

[BeatAngMoh]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

If it's got shoots it means it's alive and still growing

You can rent a stump grinder and grind it down

I take a long drill bit and drill a bunch of holes. Use rock salt to fill the holes then put some tape over the holes. Cover the stump with a bag, it will take a while but it will die.

Take a long drill bit drill holes and then fill the holes with gasoline or kerosene. Let it soak in well abpnd light it in fire to burn it. Not sure just how close to the house the stump is so this method may not work

That's nuts. Would not recommend this as you can burn the house down by accident.

[gunslinger256]

Originally Posted by tvt2015

I am actually worrying about damages to foundation. I thought that if I let the stumps (and so their roots) grow, they may damage the foundation in the future. The stumps are a result of a cut of 9-foot maples couple months before (perhaps last December).

I've seen trees growing right next to a garage where the increasing size of the tree cracked the foundation and wall of the garage.

I would expect that by cutting the tree down you have halted any additional possible damage that tree might cause. To kill the tree, just drill some holes and pour some roundup in those holes.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by tvt2015

Thanks everyone.

I am actually worrying about damages to foundation. I thought that if I let the stumps (and so their roots) grow, they may damage the foundation in the future. The stumps are a result of a cut of 9-foot maples couple months before (perhaps last December).

If there is an inexpensive way to kill those stumps, it will be good. If they can even be removed so that I have some space to plant other bushes, it will be great. If not, I am fine because my big concern is about the foundation.

I told you before; just cut them off below grade. Then use a lawn mower or weed whacker to cut any new shoots. You can have a few inches of dirt over top of the stumps. The new growth will eventfully stop.

[jackmichigan]

Originally Posted by fisheye

I told you before; just cut them off below grade. Then use a lawn mower or weed whacker to cut any new shoots. You can have a few inches of dirt over top of the stumps. The new growth will eventfully stop.

^^^This. There's no need to go to too much trouble when they were such small trees.