Sooner or later, most home gardeners are faced with the decision to uproot a tree. Strong-growing maple species are often affected because their growth was underestimated. Occasionally, infestation with Verticillium wilt or sooty bark disease makes felling unavoidable. What remains is a tree stump and massive roots, which thrive happily. This guide explains how to successfully dig up maple roots.

If you want to dig up the roots of a large maple tree, you need mechanical assistance

Remove tree stump with roots effortlessly - this is how it works

Shallow roots with a trunk diameter of up to 30 cm can be removed manually. Maple trees with a predominantly shallow central root system fall into this category. When felling the tree, remember that a trunk that is at least shoulder-high is left standing. How to dig up the roots with little effort:

  • Expose the roots with a sharp spade
  • Cut through thin strands immediately
  • Use an ax to cut out a spade-width segment from thick roots to make further digging easier

Once the strongest roots have been severed, push the remainder of the trunk back and forth. Due to the leverage effect, all root strands now tear off, so that you can lift the tree stump out of the ground. The effort required can be reduced by first spraying off the adhering soil with a sharp jet of water.

Remove maple roots without digging

Digging up will eliminate maple roots from the garden within a day. With a little patience and the following instructions, you can save yourself the exhausting procedure. A targeted decomposition process eliminates the annoying root strands within 6 to 12 months. This is how the plan works:

  • Drill deep holes in the tree stump several times with a wood drill
  • Alternatively, use a chainsaw to saw the wooden surface in a checkerboard pattern down to the floor
  • Fill holes or grooves with a mix of compost, compost accelerator and organic fertilizer

The fungal spores and microorganisms contained in the compost decompose the wood within a year. When the little helpers have finished their work, you can smash the tree stump with a hammer or the blunt side of an ax and pull the remains of the roots out of the ground.

Root barrier dams maple roots - tip for prevention

If you take the growth of maple roots into account when planting, you will not have any thick root strands in later years. By equipping the planting pit with a root barrier, you at least set narrow limits to the urge to spread.

Root barriers consist of various impenetrable, non-rotting materials in different strengths. To withstand maple root, we recommend a thickness of 2mm. The planting pit is lined 50 to 60 cm deep with the geotextile (€107.71). The ends are connected with special clamps. It is important for professional installation that the root barrier protrudes 5 to 10 cm from the ground.

tips

A colorful underplanting flatters the appearance of maple trees. Sometimes the dense network of roots doesn't leave a gap to plant beautiful ground cover on the tree pit. It does not stop the further growth of the tree if you remove one or the other root near the surface.

Category:

Trees