If you’re removing a tree from your property, you’ve got a big job on your hands. Here at Smoot Contracting Group, we know that the journey doesn’t end when the tree has been lopped and the chainsaw has been put down. Instead, you’re now going to find yourself dealing with challenging and, often, troublesome tree roots. In this article we will cover the most difficult part of the process, how to remove tree roots from the ground.
Depending on the size of the tree, there’s likely to be a large network of roots lying beneath the ground where the tree stood. Each will be attached to the remaining stump, so to remove the stump, you’re going to need to deal with the roots. Believe it or not, you may have a project on your hand that entails removing roots that can lie up to 20 feet deep! Here’s some information that can help you on this journey.
How To Remove Tree Roots
When tackling tree roots, you’re likely to find yourself choosing one of three options. The most common and effective way to remove tree roots include:
- Physically pulling up the roots yourself
- Treating the roots with chemicals
- Using professional removal services like ours
Pulling Up the Roots
Let’s start with the option of pulling up the roots yourself. This is possible – at the end of the day, you can simply take the time and physical effort to dig around the stump, locate the roots and pull them up with your own strength. However, it’s important to bear in mind that this is going to be a lot of hard, physical labor. You may also need to invest in equipment that you don’t already have, such as shovels, a stump grinder and more.
We’d encourage you to bear in mind that while this method will be effective, you need to be realistic about the size of the project you’re going to tackle. If you’re determined and have time on your hands, pulling up the roots of a small tree can be feasible. If you’re tackling a major tree, you may find that it’s worth considering one of the following options instead.
Chemical Treatment
An option that requires less physical labor is treating the tree roots with chemicals. This will work fast and can effectively eliminate roots. An alternative and more natural option is using rock salt, which is equally effective but takes a longer period of time.
If you opt to use a chemical compound, make sure to be careful and follow the instructions given on the packaging of your chosen specialist chemical treatment. We’d recommend a glyphosate herbicide with an active ingredient concentration of at least 41 per cent. Mix the glyphosate herbicide with water to create a 50/50 solution and use this to saturate the outer ring of the tree stump. The roots should be eliminated within roughly two weeks. If using rock salt, the process will take a few months.
Using Professional Services
Of course, the most effective approach is to leave this work in the hands of professionals like us. We have the knowledge, tools and experience it takes to remove tree roots quickly and effectively. If you’d like to learn more, or book our services, get in touch and we’ll be more than happy to help!