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Message
Suggestions for where an old tree was
Posted on 5/11/25 at 10:01 pm
Posted on 5/11/25 at 10:01 pm
I had a water oak that we cut down. Loved it, but obviously not suited for south Louisiana and was already dropping limbs.
I tried planting a crepe Myrtle just to see what would happen and, as expected, it has struggled. We ground the stump of the oak, but there’s still lots of roots just beneath the ground.
Any suggestions? Open to any and all ideas.
I tried planting a crepe Myrtle just to see what would happen and, as expected, it has struggled. We ground the stump of the oak, but there’s still lots of roots just beneath the ground.
Any suggestions? Open to any and all ideas.
2
Posted on 5/12/25 at 8:22 am to Tigeralum2012
My experience is that you have a multidecade project ahead of you as parts of the root ball and spreading roots slowly rot away. First, the decomposing wood will suck nitrogen out of the ground making even grass hard to grow. Second, the ground will sink for a very long time.
I suggest initially raking out as much of the stump grinding as you can then making a 6" high mound of dirt and plant something shallow rooted like azalea. Keep an eye on soil chemistry and add nitrogen often. Nitrogen will help speed decomposition. Be ready to add more dirt after sudden sinking . Note - dirt means mineral soil not bagged garden soil.
I suggest initially raking out as much of the stump grinding as you can then making a 6" high mound of dirt and plant something shallow rooted like azalea. Keep an eye on soil chemistry and add nitrogen often. Nitrogen will help speed decomposition. Be ready to add more dirt after sudden sinking . Note - dirt means mineral soil not bagged garden soil.
This post was edited on 5/12/25 at 8:26 am
Posted on 5/12/25 at 8:39 am to Tigeralum2012
make a flower bed
Posted on 5/12/25 at 10:14 pm to Tree_Fall
Thank you! Give me so much hope for what I had planned… not! Lol. But keeps my ideas in check. I have noticed the sinking 16 months later. Grass is surviving, but not thriving. So I appreciate the explanation on why that’s happening.
I think a raised flower bed or letting the weak grass grow are my best options for the time being.
I think a raised flower bed or letting the weak grass grow are my best options for the time being.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 8:05 am to Tigeralum2012
There is a faster option that is more expensive. When big trees are cut most stump grinders remove the wood down to grade. That leaves a great deal of dead wood in the ground. You might shop around for a company that can/will grind down at least a foot below grade, haul off the chips and put in a 6" high dirt mound.
I had that done 25 years ago after cutting down a hackberry that was breaking the sidewalk. The guy had a huge ride-on Vermeer stump cutter. I never had a settling issue, and the lawn looks good. Unfortunately, that guy passed away. You might call your nearest Vermeer dealer and find out who locally uses their largest models.
I had that done 25 years ago after cutting down a hackberry that was breaking the sidewalk. The guy had a huge ride-on Vermeer stump cutter. I never had a settling issue, and the lawn looks good. Unfortunately, that guy passed away. You might call your nearest Vermeer dealer and find out who locally uses their largest models.
Posted on 5/13/25 at 8:16 am to Tigeralum2012
quote:you have two options. One of them is free and the other is not
I think a raised flower bed or letting the weak grass grow are my best options for the time being
1) work with the natural world and let the decomposition of the stump work for you
2) re engineer the site
I know which one I would pick (and do pick)
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