Sycamore / Birch root removal to prevent regrowth

[david_T_Nairn]

Hello 

I need to remove several sycamore and birch trees on a site. Stump treatment isn't the preferred option if possible, due to environmental concerns. 

 

I'm trying to find a clear answer as to how much root I need to dig out to prevent regrowth. Is it sufficient to just dig out the main stump and to cut the roots say, 30cm below the ground? Or do I need to dig out ALL of the root to prevent regrowth? 

 

Does the age of the tree influence the likelihood of regrowth after stump removal?

 

Thanks in advance. 

David 

[Stubby]

10 minutes ago, david_T_Nairn said:

Hello 

I need to remove several sycamore and birch trees on a site. Stump treatment isn't the preferred option if possible, due to environmental concerns. 

 

I'm trying to find a clear answer as to how much root I need to dig out to prevent regrowth. Is it sufficient to just dig out the main stump and to cut the roots say, 30cm below the ground? Or do I need to dig out ALL of the root to prevent regrowth? 

 

Does the age of the tree influence the likelihood of regrowth after stump removal?

 

Thanks in advance. 

David 

If your budget runs to a stump grinder that's the way to go .

[Mick Dempsey]

Birch doesn’t give out sucker regrowth, maybe a bit from the stump initially, but that’ll come to nothing.

Sycamore will sucker from the stump, but not from the extended roots like Poplar or acacia.

 

As Stubs says, a grinder will solve your problems.

[david_T_Nairn]

Thanks both. Only issue is the site is only really accessible on foot. Nearest vehicle access is 1km away. 

[Mick Dempsey]

6 minutes ago, david_T_Nairn said:

Thanks both. Only issue is the site is only really accessible on foot. Nearest vehicle access is 1km away. 

More info would help.

[Dan Maynard]

Painful as it is I'd rather drive a tracked grinder 1km down a footpath than dig out 2 big stumps.

[david_T_Nairn]

1 hour ago, Mick Dempsey said:

More info would help.

Due to very soft wet ground its not physically possible to get vehicles onto the site, which rules out a stump grinder. As much as I'd love to use one or use an excavator to pull the stumps out, there simply isn't the access. Stump treatment is a last resort option but I'd like to bottom out how much root I need to extract to prevent future regrowth. There are several young (5 - 10 years old) sycamore and birch trees that I need to remove and preventing regrowth is a priority. If it turns out that they need the vast majority of the root taken out, which might be hard, then I will turn to stump treatment, but I'd like to avoid it. Thank you for any advice. 

[Mick Dempsey]

How are you planning on extracting the roots?

[Will C]

You will be amazed where a tracked grinder will get, a few bits of stock board or ply and you can get almost anywhere.
 

I’ve seen a tracked grinder weighing bang on a ton leave less of a foot print than the person walking with the buttons.

[openspaceman]

57 minutes ago, david_T_Nairn said:

There are several young (5 - 10 years old) sycamore and birch trees that I need to remove and preventing regrowth is a priority.

Winch ones as small as that out whole.