tree roots

[bucksbell]

How to remove conifer tree roots

[smudge]

bucksbell - If I were you, I would contact a qualified landscape gardener or tree surgeon for advice, because depending on how old the trees are - I would say with very great difficulty!

We have two very old tall conifers each side of our drive gates. They look lovely, but the roots have now grown halfway across the drive - thankfully well hidden by the gravel.

As you may know, the roots can cause extensive damage if planted too near houses & drains!

Good luck!

[jake-the-peg]

It all depends on the size. Last one I did was small so I was able to pull it out with a landrover - for goodness sake though don't try that trick with a normal car :c)

You can rent stump pullers from your local Jewsons or hire shop that are basically metal tripods that you assemble above them and a chain and hand winch that pulls them again limited to small to medium size stumps.

If the stump is bigger it gets more hard work I removed the stump of a largish apple tree ( about 2 ft diameter trunk with a spade and chainsaw ) that took a couple of weekends and was pretty hard work the stump getsa pretty large under the soil.

You can rent mini-diggers of course but you need to get them to where the stump is.

 I've heard of pyrotechnic devices to burn them out but that sounds absolutly mad to me and even if they work wouldn't remove much of the roots.

Of course you could always hold a "dig the tree out party" and provide spades and drink just not for anybody wielding a chainsaw!

  

[richfo]

 ou do not have to remove the roots of a conifer. After the tree is felled, hire a stump grinder from any good hire shop and grind down about 6 inches. The roots will not grow anymore.

[roz.ronly]

I was told, the spread of conifer roots is equal to it's span.  i.e. tall and narrow - not much of a root span.  To dig out a conifer, action should be as follows:  dig a circular trench around the edge of the tree's span - approx 18" deep.  Flood this trench with water.  Keep filling the trench with water for about two weeks.  At the end of that time, it should be very easy to remove, if it hasn't fallen over on its own.  As told to me by a canny old gardener.