Bushes Jim, but not as we know them.

Hi

I am preping my back garden so that I might build a new, bigger and better workshop next year.

The problem I am having right now is bushes, how much of the many metres of root system do I need to dig out to ensure that they won't come back?

Is it just the main thick roots?

I have cut down a tree (lime I think) and new branches have sprouted from that in a matter of months, how do I kill the stump? and again, do I just need to get rid of the big roots to ensure success?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

I have killed trees by cutting them down and then removing as much stump as possible. What remains of the stump was drilled and filled with neat weedkiller.

Hi Martyn, so you didn't have to dig out the roots?

I can drill and apply neat weed killer this weekend, but digging out the roots will take a couple of months.

I will give it a go and let you know how it works out.

Thanks, Ian

If you have a minimum of 1 metre wide access and can stomach the expense, hire a mini digger for a few days.

What you want is stump killer. The stuff I use is diluted with old engine oil, then drill some big holes say 1" diameter * 3" deep in the stump and fill them with the mix. However If you're goiung to build in brick or blocks with conventional footings you'll still need to dig through the root system to get proper footings

Edited By duncan webster on 17/07/2018 22:41:14

Depending on the size of the tree stump a stump grinder can be a good answer, usually local operators can be found online it might be worth getting a free quote.

I have had that process carried out very successfully a couple of times now.

Sorry I cannot help with the bushes question.

Ian

What sort of bushes are they and how big have they grown? If their root systems are close to the surface then it may be relatively easy to locate/expose them and then cut them with an axe or saw. I have removed bushes using this method and cut the roots and stumps using a cheap sabre/reciprocating saw I got in ALDI a while back. Skittled a couple of long wood cutting blades in the process, hitting stones and other bits of rubbish, but they are cheap enough, even the branded ones i.e. Bosch

Edited By Martin W on 18/07/2018 01:07:55

Edited By Martin W on 18/07/2018 01:09:20

A lot depends on the size of the roots, particularly the tree. If you leave it there and just put stump killer on it then over time the wood will rot away and leave a void that your shed base will try to fill and you may get movement. More so if using a fine material like MOT or Micheal's link to gravel.

Even if you stump grind it you will end up with large chips of wood mixed in with the now loose subsoil that will again rot and leave voids unless all the ground up material is removed

If in doubt dig it out.

Would incorporating a steel reinforcing mesh in the concrete base help with stability, even if voids do appear?

Wish that I'd done this when preparing the base for my shop!

Howard

I had three very tall tree's removed from the side of my property leaving just the stumps, the local tree surgeon wouldn't use a stump grinder as he couldn't guarantee total removal of the stumps and as I was having my whole drive replaced with reinforced concrete my builder said a mini digger would bring the stumps out just leaving the root ends, this is exactly what happened except they found the yellow plastic gas main which cost over £800 to repair as one of the trees had engulfed it and it wasn't spotted until they smelt gas.

The drive was replaced over five years ago and I've had no root issues.

Martin P