Raised bed over boxelder stump - Ask Extension
Hi!
Any suggestions on building a raised bed over a box elder stump? ( Lucky us it came with the house.) The stump was over 3 feet high and my husba...
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Raised bed over boxelder stump #868602
Asked May 15, 2024, 4:52 PM EDT
Hi!
Any suggestions on building a raised bed over a box elder stump? ( Lucky us it came with the house.) The stump was over 3 feet high and my husband has been working at getting it down. It’s 4-6” now. Still trying to get to ground level. Will building a raised bed over it be enough to prevent suckers or is grinding needed? Or covering with something before adding the garden soil? The raised bed will be about 22" tall, 4'x8'. Thanks so much!
St. Louis County Minnesota
Expert Response
The reply to this question may be helpful:
https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=785064
We haven't found any additional reliable information that addresses your question.
Young box elder trees commonly produce stump and root sprouts. Stumps and roots of old tree usually do not.
If you are covering the stump of an old tree, it's probably safe to proceed without grinding or taking other measures.
https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=785064
We haven't found any additional reliable information that addresses your question.
Young box elder trees commonly produce stump and root sprouts. Stumps and roots of old tree usually do not.
If you are covering the stump of an old tree, it's probably safe to proceed without grinding or taking other measures.
Hi! Thank you so much for your response! This particular stump had sprouts and it actually looked like a bush! It is about 28" in diameter, it is one tree with various sized branches/trunks. Some are rotting and the sprouts were around the outer edges. I've included a picture this time for reference. Our plan is to build a raised bed over this for vegetables, as the location is nice and sunny.
Besides grinding, what would the other measure be as we are wanting non toxic options only.
Thanks again for your help!
"Natural/non-toxic stump removal methods other than grinding take time because they employ various means to accelerate decay.
Here is an example:
https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-remove-stump#:~:text=Natural%20Decay,release%20fertilizer%20into%20each%20hole.
If you don't want to wait, and the risk of dealing with suckers/sprouts is unacceptable, grinding is probably the best option.
Here is an example:
https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-remove-stump#:~:text=Natural%20Decay,release%20fertilizer%20into%20each%20hole.
If you don't want to wait, and the risk of dealing with suckers/sprouts is unacceptable, grinding is probably the best option.
