How to stop a tree stump from sprouting?

Once you have killed or cut down a tree, you will be left with its unsightly stump. Although some people choose to ignore it, stumps can often start sprouting again which can again lead to a tree growing in your property. Let’s take a look at some methods for stopping a stump from sprouting again and how to perform them correctly.

Some of the methods which you can use to stop a stump from sprouting include manually removing the stump, burning it down, grinding it using a stump grinder or killing and rotting it using commercial herbicides or salt/Epsom salt. With the latter, you can expect to see results within a couple of months.

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Can Trees Grow Back from Stumps?

Yes! They absolutely can. If you cut down a tree and there is enough sugar and nutrients left in the roots and its cambium, it can send sprout again. When these sprouts start producing leaves and seeds, the tree can have a stable source of nutrients.

These new smaller trees will have a much higher chance of falling down due to an unstable root and stem system.

Some of the tree species which are more prone to sprout from the stump include Poplar, Maples, Lindens, Red Oak, Willows, Beech and Ash among others.

Recommended reading: What happens to roots after grinding

Methods for stopping a tree stump from sprouting

Some of the most common methods for stopping a stump from sprouting again include:

Manual Stump Removal

If you are dealing with a small tree stump, one of the fastest methods for stopping any sprouting is to completely remove it from the ground. With a smaller stump, you can get it done yourself without hiring any expensive machinery.

You will need a rope, a shovel, an axe and you might need the help of another person or two but only if your stump is a bit larger.

Using a shovel dig around the base of the stump to expose its roots and root ball.
Cut the connecting roots from the stump to make it easier to lift.
Using a shovel as a lever, lift or loosen the root ball and the stump from the ground.
Tie a rope around the base of the stump and pull it from the ground. You might need to ask another person for help during this.

If you have a larger stump, another trick is to tie the rope to the back of a pickup truck and pull it gently using a vehicle.

Burning the Stump

Another method to stop sprouting is to kill the stump by burning it. There are a number of methods for this, but one of the most efficient and effective is using salpetre diesel or kerosene.

You will need a chainsaw or an axe, along with safety equipment, saltpetre, diesel or kerosene and a large drill bit.

Cut the stump to as close to the ground as possible using a chainsaw or an axe.
Remove any dry leaves surrounding the stump to contain the fire.
Using a drill bit, make 5-6-inch-deep holes into the stump, with a gap of 1 inch between each hole.
Fill the holes with saltpeter and boiling water and let it get absorbed for a couple of days.
Fill the holes with kerosene or diesel and pour it on the entire stump. Let it get absorbed for a few hours.
Light the stump on fire and observe it from a safe distance.

Make sure you take all the safety precautions including having a fire extinguisher nearby or a bucket of sand. Handle the flammable substances carefully and do not burn the stump during a windy day as the embers can get carried away.

Also, make sure that the stump is completely dry before you light it on fire.

Grinding the Stump

If you are dealing with bigger stumps and if you want instant results, you can also go for grinding the stumps down to the ground using a grinder. The best thing about this method is that you can get it done by yourself and won’t be as expensive either.

For this method, you will need a stump grinder which you can rent for about $100-150 a day and an axe or a chainsaw.

Cut the stump to as close to the ground as possible using an axe or a chainsaw.
Move the stump grinder over the stump from one direction until the stump is completely removed.
Only move the grinder in one direction.

Make sure you take all the safety precautions before using the grinder, wear safety goggles, protective gloves and boots and a full-sleeved shirt and pants.

If you don’t have experience using a grinder, you can also hire a professional to get it done.

Once the stump is removed, you will have to dig out the root ball from the ground to make sure there is no sprouting in the future.

Blocking it from the Sun

Another method that people use is blocking sunlight and air from coming in contact with the stump. Most plants need sunlight and air for survival, so if you block the stump’s access to it, even if the sprouts do emerge, they will just end up dying very quickly.

You will need a dark coloured tarp for this process. Just cover the entire stump with a tarp and put some mulch and stones on top of it to keep it in place.

Although this process is very simple, it is not very effective at stopping any sprouting. There is a good chance that some amount of air or sunlight will pass through or the tarp will get blown over during strong winds.

Using Commercial Herbicides

One of the most common methods for stopping a stump from sprouting is using commercial herbicides.

The method is quite simple, and you will need a large drill bit, an axe or a chainsaw, protective gear including gloves, boots, eye protection, and a herbicide.

Some of the most effective and common herbicides include 8% Triclopyr, Glyphosate or Roundup, Tordon RTU or 2,4-D Amine.

Using an axe or a chainsaw, cut the stump as close to the ground as possible.
Make 5-6-inch-deep holes on the top of the stump, with 1 inch gap between the holes.
Fill the holes using the herbicide of your choosing using a sprayer or a brush and cover the entire base of the stump as well.
Repeat this spraying/brushing process again after a couple of weeks to increase its efficiency.

Salt/Epsom Salt

If you don’t want to use any commercial herbicides, then you can also go for salt or Epsom salt. These are very economically viable and easy to use but on the other hand, can take months to fully kill a stump.

For this method, you will need a large drill bit, salt or Epsom salt, water and an axe.

First cut the stump to as low to the ground as possible.
Using a drill bit, make 5-6-inch-deep holes on the top of the stump and on the roots if possible, as well.
Fill the holes with salt or Epsom salt and pour water over it slowly to help it get absorbed.
Put some salt over the base of the stump and near the roots.

Conclusion

To stop a stump from sprouting, you can either remove it manually or kill it by burning it down. You can also use Epsom salt, salt or commercial herbicides to kill the stumps. With the latter method, you can see the result within a couple of months. But if you decide to burn it, grind it or manually remove it, the results will be instantaneous.