Removing trees growing next to foundations.

[3v0]

Any suggestions for digging out trees that are right up to buildings. I have one metal building on a slab and wood building on a block foundation. I dug out what I could using my little backhoe along the block foundation but I did not get to where I could get the stumps out.

I left the root exposed to the air hoping it would help prevent further growth but need to close it back up this summer.

Will post a picture in the next hour or so.

 

[Creamer]

Why try to take it out? you risk damaging the foundation. Cut it clean and put a ring of Tordon on it around the outside of the clean cut. Leave it a few days to make sure the Tordon soaks in and then cover it up and let nature do its magic.

 

[3v0]

 

[M E Race]

aplease enlighten me on Tordon, sounds like what I need for pecan stumps.

 

[rekees4300]

The stumps don't look very big so a Brushgrubber might work. Attach Brushgrubber to stumps then pull out using your backhoe and chain.

BrushGrubber | Home

 

[dave1949]

For the slab foundation, I was thinking a chain might be okay too.

The block foundation is probably less solid and, if you can see root penetration into the block joints, a chain would be risky.

 

[Sonny580]

I would just use stump killer and cover it all back up and let them rot out!---you are going to risk major damage to the building by digging/pulling around it!--- I never dig, I cut/chem/and cover! let it rot! thanks; sonny580

 

[Creamer]

Tordon is available at most farm supply stores - Rural King, TSC, Agri Supply, etc. It is about $15 for approximately a quart size bottle that has a squirt top on it. You literally cut the tree or bush and put a ring of Tordon around the outside of the fresh cut and forget about it. As Sonny 580 said Cut/Chem/and Cover and you are done. The keys are that you need to apply it very quickly after cutting - <15 minutes or so - and then let soak in for a couple of days before you cover.

There are other brush killers out there, I just got started with Tordon and it works for me so I have not changed.

 

[3v0]

If all I had was a few trunks I would jump on to the Tordon approach. But with so many different root systems in the ground I have doubts. Prior to pruning and digging the entire side of that building was green with small junk elms.

I expect I need to wait for the shoots to appear then treat the shoots and a trunk where I can find live wood. From what I have been reading one may be able to apply a diluted solution to leaves. Might be the road to killing off the last of it.

Thanks guys

 

[ovrszd]

The Tordon made for fresh cuts works very well. I've also got Tordon pellets that can be sprinkled on the ground along those buildings. No woody plants will survive. Anytime I clear a brushy fencerow or area, I treat it with the pellets as I'm seeding. Works great.

I think you'll damage the foundations if you try to remove the entire stump.

 

[3v0]

The problem that for the most part there are not fresh cuts stumps to be had. People have been hacking at these with pruners and chain saws for a long time. The pellets sound like a more reasonable solution for this one. Searching for them online.

 

[Redbug]

Glyphosate, (Roundup), will do the same thing. After you cut the tree/bush just brush the chemical on the stump without any dilution for a complete kill.

I don't think I would do any more digging or pulling since it could damage the foundation. Just let nature do it's work and fill in the low spots later.

 

[ultrarunner]

The Tordon made for fresh cuts works very well. I've also got Tordon pellets that can be sprinkled on the ground along those buildings. No woody plants will survive. Anytime I clear a brushy fencerow or area, I treat it with the pellets as I'm seeding. Works great.

I think you'll damage the foundations if you try to remove the entire stump.

Not having luck finding a source for Tordon Pellets?

 

[3v0]

Not having luck finding a source for Tordon Pellets?

Affirmative. And I live in the sticks. Over 100 miles to Lowes and Home Depot, TSC is 60.

 

[3v0]

Glyphosate, (Roundup), will do the same thing. After you cut the tree/bush just brush the chemical on the stump without any dilution for a complete kill.

I don't think I would do any more digging or pulling since it could damage the foundation. Just let nature do it's work and fill in the low spots later.

Not much left of the stumps to cut.

 

[Egon]

Tordon is available at most farm supply stores - Rural King, TSC, Agri Supply, etc. It is about $15 for approximately a quart size bottle that has a squirt top on it. You literally cut the tree or bush and put a ring of Tordon around the outside of the fresh cut and forget about it. As Sonny 580 said Cut/Chem/and Cover and you are done. The keys are that you need to apply it very quickly after cutting - <15 minutes or so - and then let soak in for a couple of days before you cover.

There are other brush killers out there, I just got started with Tordon and it works for me so I have not changed.

Cut a ring around a tree and it will die all on it's own.:thumbsup:

Spray a solution of bluestone and water on the shrubs and it may kill them.
( concentration ?? )

 

[ultrarunner]

Affirmative. And I live in the sticks. Over 100 miles to Lowes and Home Depot, TSC is 60.

As best I can tell the pellets are no longer available...

 

[3v0]

Take a look at the picture. What stumps are left are mostly debarked and you can't get to the back side of them. I do not see how I am supposed to cut them and apply tordon.

I think the only real solution is to poison them by spraying leaves when the show up.

Egon I had to look up bluestone and found out it is copper sulphate. when I etc printed circuit boards the copper removed from the board reacts with the etchant.

Sodium persulfate + copper = sodium sulfate + copper sulfate

Further readin results in

sodium sulfate is generally regarded as non-toxi

Sounds like a winner..

 

[radioman]

Those look like baby stumps. I clean it out with a hand tool and use and shovel to pry it down and away from building to see how much of the roots has grown into the blocks. Chances are it hasnt and it can be removed via human power with a little prodding.

 

[3v0]

Those look like baby stumps. I clean it out with a hand tool and use and shovel to pry it down and away from building to see how much of the roots has grown into the blocks. Chances are it hasnt and it can be removed via human power with a little prodding.

I hooked a few with the backhoe bucket. No joy.