When trees have to be felled due to fungus, storm damage, or for a garden redesign, the rootstock is left in the ground. There are various methods that can be used to remove the remains from the soil.
Digging up root remains requires strength and endurance
How to remove root remains:
- **Spade and rope*: for trunks with a maximum diameter of 30 centimeters
- root rat: on larger stumps
- root grinder: for stumps that cannot be reached with the excavator
- composting: if you want the rootstock to disappear naturally
spade and rope
Shallow-rooted trees and shrubs can be removed manually with muscle power and spades. Poke the sharp implement into the soil around the base of the trunk and expose the root ball. Cut the root network so it can be lifted out of the hole. Tie a rope around the stump and pry it out with steady movements.
root rat
There are special root picks that can be installed on small excavators. The attachment scrapes the wood without jamming. With this method, residues can be removed quickly and efficiently, even in small gardens. The prerequisite is that the tree stump can be reached with the excavator. Oak trunks with a diameter of 90 centimeters are no problem for the device, which you can rent from many rental stations for around 20 euros per hour.
root grinder
Stumps can be removed quickly with a stump grinder, which you can rent from a hardware store for around 80 euros. Cut the tree close to the ground and place the device directly over the stump so that the blades, which are positioned vertically, can penetrate the wood as they are lowered. The root is slowly crushed by rotating movements. Since you set the milling depth yourself, you can either remove all of the root remains or just a part of them.
composting
A gentle variant for natural gardens is the natural rotting process, which you can accelerate with the right measures. Saw crosswise grooves in the tree stump and fill them with semi-mature compost. A compost accelerator stimulates the activity of the microorganisms. Until the wood has decomposed and provides a basis for growth for new creatures, you can decorate the stump with flower bowls.