Elder Trees , But i want to grow veg.

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by robgil, Jun 29, 2010.

  1. robgil

    robgil Gardener

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    Hi,
    I am slowly clearing the 3 or so years of growth from my garden and among other things there were a lot of elders. Some of these elders looked as though they had been coppiced many years ago.
    Ive chopped them down to the stump however i am unsure how to proceed. One tree i tried to dig out but the trunk root goes down a fair bit so i chopped it out with a large axe. Another i tried to pull out with my land rover but it wasnt going to budge so again i dug and chopped this one out.
    I habe two stumps where i wish to make my veg plot and i was wondering how to get rid of them without them growing back?

    i may put in some raised beds for my veg garden but i am still not sure.

    Any ideas?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. pwkg

    pwkg Apprentice Gardener

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    In the past I have used SBK poured into holes drilled into the stump, but not on an area for a veg plot. Have you used a winch on your landrover because looking at the picture you have left plenty of leverage on the stump, or you could hire a stump grinder to remove the bulk of the stump/root.
     
  3. robgil

    robgil Gardener

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    Hi , no winch , i just attached a 20 ton strop to my military bumper hitch , the landy just lost traction.:(
    this pics are of the stumps where i wish my veg to grow , the stump i tried to tow out was in a different part of the garden.
    Do you think its just a case of trying to dig up as many roots as possible?
     
  4. pwkg

    pwkg Apprentice Gardener

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    With the position of the stumps I think extraction is the best way.
     
  5. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Yes you will have to use brute force, as you are going to have your veggies there you don't want to risk any kind of chemical. You need a mattock like this:
    [​IMG]
    http://www.wickes.co.uk/invt/501003

    The axe edge will cut through roots going off at the side and the other will get right underneath the root so you can lever it out. Leaving the trunks at about 3 foot (as you have done) is a good idea becuase you can use your weight to wobble the it around then out.
     
  6. robgil

    robgil Gardener

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    thanks Patrick and John , bruit force it is , ive got one of those mattocks so i will get cracking.
    if i do leave the odd root down there it wont be the end of the world will it? will they try to grow back?
     
  7. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    The roots won't grow back, but if you leave any stump then that will.
     
  8. robgil

    robgil Gardener

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  9. grannydrums

    grannydrums Apprentice Gardener

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    how about dousing it with petrol and setting fire to it? that should stop it growing back.
     
  10. loopy lou

    loopy lou Gardener

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    warfare gardening!!! i felt like doing that to my neighbours bamboo!!

    good luck - lots of exercise for you!!

    loopy
     
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