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)

---

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.

---

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

Mike Powell wrote to DAVE DRUM <=-

Learned early on how to combat it. If it's growing up a wall or a tree
where it's unwanted cut it off at ground level, Then go about six inches
up the vine and cut again. This removes the source of moisture and food
and the vine soon dies.

I have killed of quite a few vine growing things by cutting them like that, then putting just a little poison on the remaining ground vine at the first cut.

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)=

... "All these doughnuts and not a cop in sight." -- Plucky Duck
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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)=

That is a good idea. I shall have to try that on a few woody weed plants I need to cut out.

Mike


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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?

Mike
$$
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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)

Thanks, Dave. I have Epsom salts so I will try that.

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 fibre of the wood. I've re-applied it every spring for three
years (no hurry, right?) and I think it will succumb to the roto-tiller
next spring.

In the event I don't have luck wiht the Epsom salts, where were you able to find saltpeter?

Mike

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Mike Powell wrote to DAVE DRUM <=-

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)

Thanks, Dave. I have Epsom salts so I will try that.

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 fibre of the wood. I've re-applied it every spring for three
years (no hurry, right?) and I think it will succumb to the roto-tiller
next spring.

In the event I don't have luck wiht the Epsom salts, where were you
able to find saltpeter?

Amazon, many gardn supply stores (and Farm & Home stores, Walmart has it
listed - but as I do NOT do busiess with any part of Wally World I can't confirm that.

It's used in curng of meats as well as making gunpowder and even in
cooking. So it's pretty common if not as ubiquitous as salt & pepper.


... Pogo says: "If you can't vote my way, vote anyway, but VOTE!"
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