Schubert Chokecherry gone!!! What to do with residual root ball??

11 years ago

OK, I made a drastic decision and the Schubert Chokecherry in the front yard is GONE! The tree remover just came and took it out.

He was going to remove the root ball too. Unfortunately, it was too stuck in the ground so he just cut it down as low as he could (about 4-6 inches below ground level), hacked away as many roots from the trunk as possible, and then left it intact. He said that it would be fine that way, and the trunk will not send up suckers and things.

I am a bit concerned that it may not be the case - I am not sure about that and perhaps I should have insisted that the root ball be all gone. Do you think that it will cause me problems later on, e.g. suckers being sent up etc. or would this just eventually die off underground?

I will now have to plant the new tree NEXT to it, but not in the same spot. That was a bit disappointing too.

Why did I not insist when he was here!? SIGH!!!

Featured Answer

donna_in_sask

11 years ago

I think he was pulling a fast one on you. Trees can be pretty tenacious, especially if their lives are at stake. My idiot neighbours have a Schubert chokecherry with an advanced case of black knot within a couple feet of the property line. They finally got around to doing something about it this year...unfortunately they didn't have a clue what to do...they simply took a chainsaw to the main branches and left the main trunk standing. So now it's sprouting at the top in fifty different directions. Sheesh.

Maybe you can research if there is a chemical that will dissolve the roots (but are safe for your other plants). Don't know if Roundup would do it.

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Comments (6)

ostrich
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, Donna! That is certainly one concern that I have! Now, he did hack away lots of the roots so I don't know if that would help or not. The trunk was cut down below ground level too... I just am not sure about pouring chemicals down the stump when I will be putting down a new tree nearby...!!! I am just not sure what to do.....
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Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
11 years ago
Yeah...not sure if it wouldn't sprout, some trees don't, I've never seen a Schubert sprout
far away from the trunk like poplar or Evans cherry does, perhaps you're OK.
ostrich thanked Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
ostrich
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, Konrad! I hope you are right!!! :-)

Anyway, I just had a Gladiator crabapple planted in that spot an hour ago - oh my goodness, what a difference! This thing is so much better looking, and it suits the design of the front yard so much better. Finally, my rock garden design is being shown off, and not be overwhelmed by the tree!
Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
11 years ago
Nice!...can we see...
ostrich
Original Author
11 years ago
Konrad, sure! I will post it when I am home from Jasper this Sunday.... a bit smoky here from the wild fires!!!