So there’s a 16 foot tall Pittosporum tree taking up prime real estate in my yard where I would like to grow a fruit tree.
If I want to plant a new tree directly on top of it (in a raised bed) do I have to dig out or grind the stump ? Or is it good enough to cut the tree off at soil level?
Should I be concerned that if I start watering on top of the stump it will sprout new growth?
Try this Please share your experience in reclaiming your weeds and vines covered land - #30 by clarkinks
cut it as flat as you can. drill into the cambium around the stump and add some strait roundup. build and fill your raised bed on it the next day. it shouldnt resprout after that.
It would be best to dig out the stump and as much of the roots as possible. If you don’t kill the Pittosporum with glyphosate or something, its roots could send up suckers and compete with your new tree for water and nutrients. Also, if the tree has any diseases, they could be transmitted to your sapling.
If you put soil over the stump, like in a raised bed, once the stump is dead and begins to decay, the bacteria breaking it down will draw nitrogen out of the soil, which will slow growth. You will eventually get that nitrogen back once the stump is fully broken down, but that could take years. Also, until it decays, the stump will present a physical barrier to the root system of your fruit tree. For species that develop a taproot, this could be a further impediment to normal growth.
That said, I’ve been lazy in the past and planted a fruit tree near an old stump, or over a dug-out stump without removing the old root system (although I avoid doing this for same-species trees because of concerns about disease). If you make sure to keep the right nutrients in the soil – especially N – and there is no issue of disease, your new fruit tree will probably be fine even if it is not optimal.
Good advice Steve. If using stronger brush killers than glyphosate, some need 30 to 90 days or more before you replant something nearby. I’ve nearly killed some valuable plants by cutting a sapling in my shrubbery and smearing the cut surface using straight herbicide.
(And some plants don’t seem to mind.)
roots will go around the old stump. only place there would be a N deficiency is a few mm off of the surface of the stump. that’s why hugelkutures work because the roots go around until the wood decays and frees up nutrients. then the roots move in and take advantage. if you wanted to speed the stumps decay, add a high N fert. on top of it before making the bed but not necessary.
I would cut it 6" above the soil and carefully treat the wound with undiluted Triclopyr. Tie rags around the stump to prevent the herbicide from entering the ground. Six months later excavate a 3’ to 4’ diameter trench around the stump, using a reciprocating saw to cut through roots. Then use a pickaxe to pull out the stump.
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You’ve dug a 3 or 4 foot trench and used a reciprocating blade to do this?
Thanks for the ideas.I’m trying to remove a thorny Hawthorn,near a narrow walkway.
@steveb4 has the simplest solution although I would wait a few weeks before doing any planting.
In these parts; it is not unheard of to dig down to the root ball. Soak richly in Kerosene; and apply fire. Each new day folding in side roots to ensure you will never have another problem with the offending tree. Burn until you have a nice charcoal base mix for your new tree.