Tree removal doesn’t end when you have cut down a tree. There is another daunting task left. Removing tree roots. There can be many reasons of removing the roots. Most people who cut down a tree want to remove its stump and roots also. Moreover, if the roots of your tree are affecting your landscape or damaging your drain pipes, you should consider cutting or removing tree roots. It is better to call in expert tree services for cutting tree roots. But if you are willing to do it yourself, follow this guide.

Ways To Remove Tree Roots

For removing tree roots, you must learn the basics of tree and its roots removal, the conditioners you may face during the process, and the tools you need. You should know that a normal sized tree has its roots 20 feet below the surface.

There are three ways you can cut tree roots completely. We will explain them one by one.

Physically Remove The Tree Stump With Roots

Taking out tree roots may be a faster way to remove roots but it requires physical strength to work. You can do this by digging out the surroundings of the stump. Alternatively, it can be done by grinding the tree stump. You can decide it by the size of the tree you are dealing with. This method is better only for small stumps and trees.

Dig Out The Roots

Things you need for digging out the roots:

• Spade
• Loppers
• Root saw
• Grub hoe

Before proceeding, you should confirm from the utility companies that you aren’t digging any water or sewer pipes. After that confirmation, you can start the procedure.

Expose the roots by digging out the soil using the spade. Make sure that the roots are exposed enough so you can easily pull out all the loose roots.

Now for roots that are still there, dig out the dirt surrounding them and use loppers to cut through them, and then take out all the roots that you have cut.

After this, try to push the stump in all directions to loosen its contact with the roots and pull out some more roots. If the roots are too thick, you can use root saw to cut the roots. The task requires physical effort so select a time of the day which is not too hot or cold.

Remove Roots With Chemicals

This requires less hard work to remove tree roots. There are chemical herbicides that can kill the roots quickly and without physical strain. You can also use a natural option, rock salt, that works but takes longer time than an herbicide.

Using An Herbicide

Make a fresh cut across the tree stump and apply water on its outer layer. Create a 50/50 solution of water and glyphosate herbicide, and spray it with garden sprayer on the outer layer of the stump. Avoid spraying on the surrounding grass and plants. After the application, it will take two weeks for the roots to be eliminated.

Using Rock Salt

This is a slower method. You must follow this method twice or thrice a month to kill off tree roots. Drill several holes in the stump that are 3-4 inches deep and fill the holes with rock salt followed by spraying water on it. Carry this out for a few months and the roots will begin dying.

Hire Tree And Stump Removal Services

As mentioned above, most of the methods to remove tree roots require time and energy to work. And the chemical methods require weeks or months to show results. If you don’t want to deal with the work needed for removing tree roots or can’t wait months for the roots to die off, consider hiring tree services that can remove trees, stumps, and roots.

Moreover, if you are planning to remove a tree, you can have them remove tree roots for a little additional fee.

Another reason why we recommend using expert services because some methods of removing roots are dangerous, for example, stump grinding involves using a grinder and requires expertise to operate. Furthermore, chemical methods can affect plants surrounding the roots if enough care is not taken. Tree services Maryland have experts who deal with these things daily and can remove tree roots safely.