Mike Powell wrote to Dave Drum <=-
Something else you can do - put potassium nitrate (saltpeter) or Epsom
salts on the stump .... whether a vine or a tree. It kills the root and promotes rot and breakdown underground of the woody left-overs. I had
a problem with several eruptions of a "Tree of Heaven" (aka Hobo Jungle Tree) which kept growing back if cut. Saltpeter put paid to that. And
I learned that the root system on that plant is often very extensive.
There were Trees of Heaven dying for almost a block around. And I did
not have to use "forever" chemicals or Round-Up to get 'er done.. Bv)=
Something I meant to ask... I have Epsom salts. I assume that I should mix them with water, just like I would for medicinal purposes?
I've not used it myself, just know/knew it cold be used. So I looked
arond and got this from Bob Vila )yeah, the Tee Vee guy)
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Starting about 3 inches from the outside edge of the stump, drill 1"
wide holes, spaced 1" apart, into the top of the stump. Drill down as
deep as possible.
Fill the holes with Epsom salt and add enough water to saturate it w
ithout causing the salts to spill over. Sprinkle more Epsom salt
around the base of the stump.
Cover the stump with a tarp to prevent rainwater from washing the Epsom
salt away.
Wait a month or so while the Epsom salt cuts off the moisture supply
to the roots, killing the stump.
When the tree stump is dead (there should be no green wood and no shoots emerging), either dig it up, grind it down, or find a creative way to incorporate it into your landscape.
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There is also a nice article w/videos at:
https://www.trees.com/gardening-and-landscaping/how-to-remove-tree-stump-with-epsom-salt
I put saltpeter on the big maple mstump in my back yard and let the rain
make a "solution" which leached into the wood. It takes a while to break
down the fib