Hi, Scott,
Depending on the tree's rooting system, specifically whether it has a
tap root, you might be able to do most of the ax work while standing on the
stump, if the sawyers can leave you a nice flat stump about a foot high or
lower.
I have heard that you can accelerate decomposition by boring holes
into a stump and poring in a commercially available (I don't know the
company name) mixture of decomposing organism. I have no experience with
this.
Another thing you might consider is to use the stump as an interesting
feature in the garden. I have seen this done by placing large planters on
the stump, but you could also use a birdbath, a sculpture, a stone lantern,
or something else that would harmonize.
Hope this helps.
Martin M. Meiss
2013/1/17 Scott Creary <[email protected]>
> Does anyone have any experience removing tree stumps from very sensitive
> areas? We have a botanically important planting around a tree that we need
> to remove for safety reasons, but we cannot leave an unsightly stump in the
> process. However, the traditional grinders or pick-axe method won't work
> as it would destroy the surrounding plantings. Does anyone know of a way
> to remove stumps or decompose them quickly such that the area is plant-able
> soon after tree removal (a year or so)?
>
> I'm going out on a limb with this, but I feel that managed areas are
> sometimes the most ecologically important, especially in a highly urban
> environment like where we are.
>
> Thanks much!
>
>
> --
> Scott Creary, M.S. Entomology, ISA Certified Arborist
> IPM Specialist
> Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
> www.phipps.conservatory.org
>
