Very Deep Roots

Appoligies for my lack of knowledge before I start!

I have a very old tree in my back garden with deep depp roots, but I really need to get rid of it. Does anybody have some good suggestions? Is the best way to just get digging or does the old rusty nail or cutting a line round the bark etc work?

The roots are so big they are under my garage and think digging it out would be very problematic so a method of killing it slowly over the winter is my best bet.

Help would be much appreciated.

 

The easy way, and cheapest, but takes a few years is: first cut the tree down (you did not say the tree was gone or not), then cut the stump down as close to the ground as possible. Then pile soil on top of the stump, soon some wood ants will find its new home (and then worms) and start eating away at stump and soon the roots will start rotting away. Then it will be easier to chip away the dead stump and roots.

 

Get it cut down then ground out with a stump grinder.

Rusty nails and similar is just a waste of time

 

Hi jakk,

Can I ask why it is you want the roots removed?

Sticking rusty nails into the trunk or ringing the tree at the base is a slow, drawn out way of killing any tree that will leave it prone to decay and infection. The tree will become highly dangerous and fail at any moment, causing injury or damage to anyone or anything beneath it. It is a very stupid and pointless way of removing a tree. Get it removed and use a stump grinder to get rid of the stump if possible. if not then I'm afraid it's mattock, pick, crow bar and a lot of grunting and groaning.

 

:thght::thumb:

 

Tree is not cut down yet but thats my first step.

Basically I want to turf the area where the tree is to make some more garden space for kids to play.

There is a step in the garden that the roots have been pressuring several years before I moved its buldged out and roots are pressuring it, there are a couple of holes near the base of the brick which lets water out so Im confident its the roots thats causing it. Also the tree is up against my garage, so if it continues to grow Im concerned that the same will happen to the garage and could become an expensive job to repair.

Cheers

 

If anything a lesson can be learned from this. Select a tree carefully for its location and potential of growth.

 

Any chance of a few pics, jakk, just so that we can see what we're advising you on?