After Care
Now that stump.biz have ground out the stump you have been left with a
pile of wood chips. These notes have been prepared to help you make use
of the chippings in the garden. The chips can be composted and used as
a mulch. The decomposition of chippings in garden soil causes microbes
to absorb nitrogen and may upset the ph balance of the soil. A nitrogen
rich soil additive may be of use to rectify this.
Flower Beds
If the stump was very small (less than 8-12 inches across) and in a flower
bed you can get away with dispersing the debris from the grinding widely
in the surrounding soil and generally levelling the flower bed. A periodic
ph check will show if you need to add nitrogen to reduce acidity. If the
stump was larger and you intend to replant, all the chippings shoud be
removed and the hole re-filled with fresh topsoil. Fresh chippings used
as mulch around annuals and perennials may kill them.
Out of the way spots
The pile of chippings and churned earth can be left over the hole. Nature
will level the pile.
Lawns
If you wish to grass the area where the stump was, all the chippings must
be removed and fresh topsoil imported. If you don't, seed will not flourish
and turf will perish.
Using the chippings
Chippings can be used immediately to cover paths or play areas; chippings
decompose slowly and soften the surface. If you have more than you can
use you may be able to help a neighbour. You can use them as mulch around
mature trees and shrubs. Wood chips from different trees have different
levels of acidity; Ash, Beech and Oak can probably be used immediately
around established subjects and wood chips from conifers may be used to
mulch a Leylandii hedge. See the Mulching
page for more details. To be on the safe side the chippings can be composted
and the compost can be used to benefit trees and shrubs in the garden.
Composting chippings
The process of composting is chemically highly complex. This guide is
designed to give the amateur gardener practical help. If you want more
detailed information on composting and mulching, some web sites are given
on the links page or your Garden Centre
may be able to help. Small quantities of chippings can be added, a layer
at a time to the compost heap, particularly if it is mainly grass clippings;
the wood chip will add fibrous material. The time taken to turn fresh
chippings into compost is indicated below.
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Compost chippings alone |
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Mix in an equal volume of grass clippings or 5lbs
of urea per cubic yard, and leave to decompose. Either additive
will provide the necessary nitrogen. |
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As for one year but turn the pile over every week
for one month and every two weeks thereafter and keep adding sufficient
water to keep the pile moist. |
Other points to consider
Stones
The grinding process will have propelled stones and stone chips onto the
lawn. Before mowing take care that all stones have been removed; they
can blunt the mower and if thrown up during mowing can be dangerous to
people, pets and glass!
Re-growth
The grinding process will prevent re-growth of most trees. However willow,
poplar and some varieties of flowering cherry for example have a habit
of regenerating, sometimes up to 5 years later. You have probably heard
of the willow walking stick stuck in the ground in autumn, which sprouted
roots by spring.
Glyphogan is a recommended herbicide. Makhteshim~Agan (UK) Ltd,
Unit 16, Thatcham Business Village, Colthrop Way, Thatcham, Berkshire
RG19 4LW, Tel 01653 860555 Fax 01653 861555.
www.main.co.il/main2003/ or SBK products such as Roundup may be
considered.
Honey Fungus
Visit our Honey Fungus FAQs page
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