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Can I kill a stump using herbicide?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

Herbicide would have to be applied just after the tree is cut down, before the wounds close up. Carefully paint herbicide on the stump, focusing on the outer rings/cambium layer.

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Question

How can I kill a tree stump that is close to a lake on my property?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

The safest way to to do this would be to periodically cut back any growth on the stump. You wouldn't want to use kerosene so close to a lake.

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I planted a new tree next to the stump of the old tree. If I use epsom or rock salt on the stump, will it hurt the new tree?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Nope! Epsom salts are safe for the surrounding plants, and will only kill the stump they are applied to.

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Question

Will using chemicals designed for stump removal prevent the growth of a newly planted trees in the same spot/area?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you apply the chemicals only to the tree stump as instructed, and add new soil to the spot after removal, new growth will be able to thrive in the spot where the old stump was.

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Question

I had cut down juniper trees because they kept falling sideways. The roots/stumps are still there. Will there epsom salt work? Will covering them work? They appear to be non growing?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Either Epsom salts or covering are likely to work, but do both methods for the most effective solution.

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Question

Why would anyone want to kill a tree?

Community Answer

It may be a hazard to your house, or the roots are busting a water and/or sewer line.

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Question

I cut a tree down, leaving the stump, not realizing it could sprout again. Can I still follow the method of drilling holes and filling them with herbicides?

Dan Sharp VII

Community Answer

Yes. Just make sure to cut all the sprouts first. My favorite way to kill stumps is to cover them with soil and mulch, and plant flowers and grasses to hide the mound.

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Question

Can I use Epsom salts as a weedkiller on paths and driveways?

Community Answer

Use a recipe of Epsom salts, vinegar and soap to kill weeds and it worked just as good as roundup.

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Question

How long will it take to kill a stump using roundup?

Community Answer

It won't shoot again if you apply poison straight away after cutting the tree down when the sap is still flowing. It should be completely dead in 2-4 weeks.

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Question

Can weed and grass killer kill tree stumps?

Dylan Dang

Community Answer

No. Weed and grass killer is not strong enough. You would just be destroying the area around the stump, rather than the stump itself.

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Question

Do I remove the burlap sack before I plant it?

Community Answer

Yes, remove the burlap. The sack is used to hold the roots in place so that they don't separate from the tree. Once the tree is in the place you want it, remove the burlap sack so the roots can grow out into the yard.

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Question

What could cause it to be impossible to split an old stump with an ax or burn it?

Community Answer

Some trees, especially the hardwoods, become almost like stone after they die and thoroughly dry out. I have seen axes and chainsaws bounce and slide off them. The harder and larger the stump, the larger and hotter the fire would have to be to make the stump burn. If you are able to drill holes in the stump, you can try liquid solutions that cause the stump to rot. Otherwise, contact a professional stump grinding service. They can be expensive, but they are effective.

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Question

Whats the quickest way to remove a Japanese maple stump with large roots?

Community Answer

You can contact a professional and have them take care of it for you.

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Question

If I grind a stump down, do I still need to use a herbicide stump treatment?

Community Answer

No. A thorough stump-grinding, along with removal of the wood chips and filling in the hole with dirt, should kill the stump.

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Question

Should I mix the salt with water or just apply it dry into the holes?

Community Answer

Apply it dry into the holes, and then add a few drops of water into each hole to make sure the salt settles right down and fills the base of the hole.

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Question

Can I use diesel instead of kerosene?

Community Answer

Yes, kerosene is just high-grade diesel. They will both burn at the same rate and accomplish they same end goal equivalently.

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Question

How can I kill a pine tree stump?

Community Answer

Pine trees do not resprout, so it is not necessary to kill them--they will die on their own.

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