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Are you a property owner asking how to stop a tree stump from sprouting? This is a vital question because trees can grow back from new stumps. So, if you don’t have the stump removed, keeping it from sprouting means not having that tree regrow. Additionally, fresh sprouts often make a stump look very unsightly and unkempt.
The good news is that you can also stop those sprouts from forming and spreading. In turn, you won’t need to deal with a tree you don’t want on your property! Check out some tips for stopping a tree stump from growing new sprouts. Also, discuss this with a tree services contractor near you as needed if you need tree stump removal.
When reviewing these tips on how to stop a tree stump from sprouting, always remember safety first! Never use any chemicals without proper eye protection and thick gloves. Also, ensure you have fire extinguishing materials nearby as well. Lastly, if you suspect these tips are beyond your area of expertise, call a tree services contractor for stump grinding!
As with full-grown trees and other greens, stumps need sunlight, water, and air to grow. You can typically stunt its growth with a thick, dark tarp. Place the tarp over the stump and secure it with duct tape or adhesive.
Leave the tarp on the stump continuously for at least six months. After this time, the stump’s roots should have died entirely away. If the stump has sprouted, put the tarp back over it and leave it for several more months to kill tree stumps.
Strong fertilizers damage tree stump roots to the point of decay. To use this method, cut the stump down to soil level or as close as possible. Then, drill several holes through the stump face until you penetrate the soil.
Next, pour slow-acting fertilizer into the drilled holes. Cover the stump and its drilled holes with soil and pack this dirt into the holes. Leave the stump untouched for several months. Afterward, the fertilizer should kill its roots and any developing tree stump sprouting.
Instead of fertilizer, you can use rock salt or Epsom salts to kill stump roots. Most hardware stores carry rock salt in the lawn care section to melt snow. You can typically find Epsom salts in the personal care section of most stores, as people often dissolve these in baths!
To use either material, drill through the stump as you would when using fertilizer. Pour the salt into the drilled holes and then pack soil into the pits over the salts. Again, cover the stump with a thick tarp or trash bag and secure it into place. Leave the stump for several months for the best results.
Before burning a tree stump, check with your city or county and ensure this process is legal! If so, you also want to have a garden hose or fire extinguisher on hand. Finally, remove any leaves and twigs from around the stump, and keep children and pets away from the area.
To burn the stump, drill holes through the face until you reach the soil. Next, pour kerosene into those holes and let it saturate the stump and its surrounding roots. Then, add some firewood and twigs to the top of the stump, as you would when building a campfire.
Light the firewood and twigs and keep feeding the fire as needed, to ensure it reaches the kerosene below. Once you’re sure the stump has burned out, extinguish the blaze and replace the ashes with soil. Finally, cover the stump with a thick tarp to keep it from regrowing.
There are other methods to stop tree stumps or even for killing stumps but this may include buying equipment such as a stump grinder or buying a stump killing herbicide. Some known chemicals on the market include an active ingredient of potassium nitrate (or saltpeter) or sodium hydroxide. So look for those active ingredients when you're buying stump killing solutions.
When dealing with a tree stump you don’t want to grow back, remember that trees need leaves for growth! Leaves take in needed oxygen and sunlight, which feeds a tree and allows it to thrive. In turn, cutting away leaves and developing sprouts reduces the chance of tree regrowth.
If you don’t want to destroy a tree stump using the methods above, preventing new sprout growth is the next choice! You can snip them as they sprout, which helps stop the stump from growing. Also, consider spraying them with a vinegar and water mixture once they appear. The vinegar keeps them from flourishing, which also keeps the tree stump from thriving.
In some cases, you might do well removing tree stumps instead of trying to keep it from growing. Check out when and why removing a tree stump is best for a property:
Springfield Tree Trimming & Removal Service is happy to help answer the question of how to stop a tree stump from sprouting. Hopefully, you found this information helpful! If you’re ready for expert services on your property, call our Springfield tree services contractors. We offer free consultations and price quotes, and guaranteed services. For more information, contact us today!
