How do you keep a tree stump from growing? It is damaging my foundation. It was cut below the soil surface.?

Question

I heard you can use paint or a tar on the stump. Is this correct? I had foundation repair when they cut the crete myrtle but in a matter of a month it growing fast. What can I do besides remove it?

Answer 1

Why wouldn't you remove it? It'll solve your problem straight away. Call the local stump grinder and let him deal with it. Its not expensive, it will kill the tree and you won't need to think about it again.

Answer 2

Yes round-up works if the cut is fresh and herbicide can be taken in.  Foresters often use a hatchet that cuts into trees and applies herbicide into the plants phloem (vascular system). You can also keep cutting it back and the plant will eventually burn through all of its stored food.

Answer 3

My prof swear by this method:  make a new cut across the stump and apply RoundUp directly on the stump, covering the entire area.  This chemical will kill off any more growing cells of the old tree and in about three weeks you can then physically remove the trunk.

You will need to remove the stump physically even after it's dead.  Some trees have pretty impressive root systems attached to those stumps!  After a frost heave the stump could be pushed to the surface and your nightmares are back.

Answer 4

They make a product for decomposing stumps faster...unfortunately after 8 weeks you are suppose to burn the rest of it out.  

The also make a weed kill for hard to kill weeds and plants.

Scotts Groundclear Complete Vegetation Killer Kills existing vegetation and prevents new growth for up to 1 year. Use on driveways, patios, gravel paths, and fencerows. Contains 1% glyphosate and .016% imazapyr. 1.25 gallon ready-to-use bottle with sprinkler cap.

**********DON'T LET THE PRICE SCARE YOU ***********

Walmart has it for under $20 and that stuff it better than roundup.  It seems to take a little longer to show results but one it does POW! ZING ! ZAP! it's DEAD!  

http://www.nextag.com/544214966p/zz2zB4z...

PS a year of not being able to grow will kill it!