How to uproot tree roots: methods and recommendations

Anyone who has had to get rid of tree stumps and roots in their area knows how difficult this process is. Knowing how to uproot trees quickly and inexpensively can be useful in a wide variety of situations: wood has already outlived its own, if you need to release a plot for construction or just update landscape design.

Content:

• Step-by-step instructions on how to remove tree roots
• Chemical methods of uprooting
• Mechanical methods

Step-by-step instructions on how to remove tree roots

To cope with this task, you need to follow these steps:

• Assess the scope of the work. The larger the tree, the more difficult it is to remove it. The size of the roots often depends on the type of tree. Assess the topography and soil in the place where it grows wood... All this will help you determine further actions or approximately find out the costs if you contact a specialized company.
• Prepare all the necessary equipment: shovel, hacksaw, ax, etc.
• If the trunk of the tree is large enough and strong enough with strong roots, you will have to dig a hole around the trunk. Moreover, the hole should be 3 times larger than the trunk itself. The depth is determined individually. You will see the first roots, start chopping them off. It is very important to get to the main, central root. If it remains intact, it will be extremely difficult to pull the tree out.

In the case when the previous point did not give any results, you can resort to the next step - use special equipment. If you have a tractor, it will be very easy to pull out the already dug tree. Tie the rope to it, the other end to the tractor and pull. If the roots have already been chopped down, the tree is removed the first time. However, this effective method has its own characteristics. First, it is not possible to bring a tractor to every site. Not everywhere there is an entrance to the site. And secondly, the site itself must be large enough so that the tractor can then turn around.

If you cannot bring a tractor to the site, and the tree with roots is still in place, try to wash out the soil around the roots.

Fill the hole with water from a hose, then the soil will become loose, it will be easier to pull out the stump. But remember that you cannot get very close to the tree, there will be slippery liquid mud under your feet. There is a good chance of slipping and falling into the hole. If a fall is unsuccessful, there is a chance of fractures.

Chemical methods of uprooting

Chemical methods of removing trees do not require large amounts of force. You won't have to drag, pull and chop anything. However, these methods have their own characteristics. For example, they don't work instantly. You have to wait for the chemical to turn the roots to dust.

These methods are especially popular when removing trees within the city, where there is no way to dig and pull with special equipment. The main ways are:

• Potassium nitrate. This method requires no effort at all and is inexpensive. But the wait will take a long time. If the roots are very large and deep, like those of conifers, it will take more than one year to wait for the complete removal of all roots. To uproot a tree in this way, cut the tree as close to the ground as possible, make holes around the trunk in the soil with a diameter of at least 5 cm, the depth will depend on the scale of the roots.Pour 100 g of saltpeter into each hole and cover with water. To prevent the substance from washing out, plug all holes with a stopper. For a while, you can forget about the stump. It is best to do this in early summer and leave everything as it is until spring. And in the spring, if the tree was small, you can complete the procedure. Pour a flammable substance into the holes and set it on fire. The fire will destroy the remnants of the roots, you just have to dig it up.
• Ammonium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is good because it not only destroys roots, but also fertilizes the soil well. The same procedure is carried out as described above, only you do not need to set fire to anything at the end. After dissolving the roots, this soil can be used to grow flowers.
• Regular salt. A simple and affordable way to remove unnecessary roots. Take coarse table salt, pour it into the holes and leave it for the winter. A small stump will take about 300 grams of salt. Then just cover the area with earth. The tree stump will decompose on its own. Nothing can be planted on this site, the soil is too salty. But for changing the landscape, this method is great.
• Special products from the store. You can buy a weed remover, water it on a fresh cut of the tree, and wrap it for the winter. After about a year and a half, the remains of the stump can be easily removed. No new growth will appear.

Mechanical methods

Mechanical methods are more laborious, but you do not need to wait long. You can get rid of hated stumps quickly and immediately. To work efficiently, purchase an ice pick, a special tool for uprooting. Ordinary shovels will dull quickly.

Mechanical uprooting methods:

• Manual method. This method requires a lot of strength and perseverance. However, among gardeners and gardeners it remains the most popular due to its cheapness and availability. He does not require any special skills. You need to have time to spare and strong helpers. The season doesn't matter. It is enough to dig and chop off the roots until the stump is pulled out. If done correctly, even the deepest roots can be removed without having to wait a year. However, if there is no experience and skill, injuries are possible.
• Excavator. A very fast and effective method. However, it is advisable to hire special equipment only if there are a lot of stumps and enough space on the site. For example, if we are talking about a park or orchard, then this method can even be called economical. But in the event that there is not enough free space, there is lawn, paths, fenced areas, then it will be impossible to apply such a cumbersome technique. If you do not plan to plant new trees, then the holes after the excavator will need to be covered with earth.
• Crusher. A crusher is a device that enters the ground about 30 cm and chops the roots into small chips. For firmly rooted trees, this is a great removal method. It is compact in size, acts quickly, and does not dig deep holes. However, it enters the soil shallowly, roots may remain in the ground, which will then germinate. If the site is contaminated with something, large debris, stones can break the crusher.
• Winch. This is almost a manual removal method, but a simple mechanism called a lever comes to the rescue here. The stump needs to be dug in, some roots should be chopped off. Then tie a cable to it, and wind its other end around the tree and attach it to the winch, and then pull. If the stump is dug very well, it will fly out of the hole rather unexpectedly and abruptly. Therefore, you need to be careful not to hit anyone. This method, although it sounds simple, requires certain skills. If you do not have one, it is better to hire specialists. It will be easier, faster and safer.

The best way has to be chosen based on specific conditions: the size of the stump, the thickness of the roots, etc. In any case, you will have to make a lot of efforts to solve the problem.