Killing tree stumps

[fredpuli47]

I wish to clear sycamores that have sprung up in an old neglected garden over years.Cutting them down is going to leave living stumps and I'll end up with a sycamore coppice in place of sycamore trees! There used to be a chemical that was put into holes drilled in the stumps, which, if I recall aright, meant they would burn right down below ground.
Don't think that is now on sale. What alternative methods are there?

[Schutzengel]

Fred, I have heard that Domestos does the trick, poured into drilled holes, as with the previously available chemical. I haven't tried it myself, but was told that it works. I suppose it's worth a try. Good luck.

[Bromsgrove]

Hello. Drill your holes , pack with Sodium Chlorate, it is still available, and cover the stumps with a double layer of polythene, dustbin liners are ideal for this, and tie the polythene firmly in place. About six weeks later remove the polythene and repack the holes with the sodium chlorate. Replace the polythene and leave the stumps to rot. Some may say that repeating the process is un -necessary but I have always found it beneficial. Good luck. Meanwhile keep a close watch for any seedlings, sycamores are notorious for these!

[fredpuli47]

Thanks. Maybe I should try both, but not in the same stump!

It was sodium chlorate that I was thinking of. I had the idea that its sale to the public had been stopped because it can be used to make explosive.From memory, you could set fire to a stump treated with the chlorate, once the stump was dry, and the fire would burn down to the bottom of it.

I've now copp[ic]ed out and ordered a proprietary 'tree stump killer' advertised alongside this link.What's the betting its active ingredient is sodium chlorate or that of Domestos, disguised?

[colin6789]

You could try to remove all and bark and the Cambian Layer under it as this is the living part of the tree. This will stop it from sprouting from the stump. It will trough up shoots from the roots for a few years, these must be cut down one or two times a year.

[garner]

Drill a hole in the stump and then add [ Root Out ] you can buy it from most garden/c. Good stuff and will not harm animals or wildlife ect.