Large Stump that I want get to decay and go away! - Ask Extension
Currently have a large locus tree stump that is roughly 35 inch in diameter. By digging around it and sawing as much as possible, it is roughly 3 in...
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Large Stump that I want get to decay and go away! #873461
Asked June 17, 2024, 2:31 PM EDT
Currently have a large locus tree stump that is roughly 35 inch in diameter. By digging around it and sawing as much as possible, it is roughly 3 inches below grade.
To speed up the decay I read the best thing to do is to put plastic over the stump then cover it with three inches of topsoil. Supposedly, that would speed the fungal breakdown.
Another source suggested drilling one inch diameter holes in circular pattern about 2 inches deep. The next step was filling the holes with Epsom salt, then covering with top soil.
Just curious, is there is a best approach to speed up the decay of a stump? Half of the tree was cut down last fall and the other half in mid April,2024. There are no sprouts or growth from the roots.
THANKS!!
Eaton County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello
I checked Extension bulletins, which are all research-based, and here haven’t been any studies.
Here are some suggestions
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2023/06/21/what-is-the-best-way-to-accelerate-the-decay-of-several-hardwood-tree-stumps/
https://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/2007/060207.html
https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-remove-stump
As you can read from the above, the goal is to make an environment that natural decay organisms prefer, which includes moisture and some airflow or oxygen.
I checked Extension bulletins, which are all research-based, and here haven’t been any studies.
Here are some suggestions
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2023/06/21/what-is-the-best-way-to-accelerate-the-decay-of-several-hardwood-tree-stumps/
https://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/yard/2007/060207.html
https://extension.sdstate.edu/how-remove-stump
As you can read from the above, the goal is to make an environment that natural decay organisms prefer, which includes moisture and some airflow or oxygen.
