Tree roots

550Doug · Jul 18, 2011

The trunks of the trees that I need to remove are about 12 to 15 inches across and my backhoe is too small to take them out. The tree roots (spruce & pine about 6 to 8 inches across) need to be cut so that I can push over the trees. These trees are very close together but I could probably get a trencher (like a walk-behind Ditch Witch) in there to cut off the large roots and then with my backhoe I could hopefully push them over enough to remove the bulk of the roots.
So my question; Would a trencher be a good tool to cut through the large roots? Any other ideas?
Thanks

Lloyd In South Carolina · Jul 18, 2011

Can't help with the trencher question,,,,, but I have taken our much larger stumps than what you describe with my small JD 48 backhoe attachment.

First, leave 3 to 4' of stump high. I've dug 2 to 3' all the way around the stump, then flipped it on its side. Then "raked" the dirt ball with the bucket teeth. Once lite enough, picked it up and dropped a few times. Soon all I have left is wood, ready for the burn pile.

It is not the optimal setup, but it got the job done many times now.

L.

guido · Jul 18, 2011

Hello 550Doug,
here is how I do it. Dig and cut and push.
the jack is the work horse, you can use a a puller and a sling to pull it as it comes loose.
Guido

GeneMO · Jul 18, 2011

They took all the fun out of such thing when they made it impossible for the average guy to buy dynamite !

Gene

thurlow · Jul 18, 2011

I agree; can't believe that trees that size couldn't be removed with almost any size backhoe. Just have to get far enough away from the tree that you can tear the roots into.

TimV · Jul 18, 2011

The most obvious method is a chainsaw with an old chain, as if you use a new chain it will be an old chain before long! I've even used an axe on many occasions--back in the day, loggers often sharpened one side of their double-bit axe to a "stunt" (wider, duller, more obtuse) angle to use in root cutting so as not to damage the "keen" side used for felling.

old · Jul 18, 2011

I can not see why your back hoe will not do the job. You just need to take your time in doing so. I have a back hoe on an 8N ford and I would not have any problems doing what your doing. Years ago I had a Little TD-6 IH dozier and took out a tree stump that was so big I could hide the dozier behind the stump when I got done. Took me a little over an hour to do the job but I got it done

bison · Jul 18, 2011

I would Push that tree over before cutting the trunk off,thatta way the roots come out with the tree.

Inno · Jul 18, 2011

There are a lot of trees that can't simply be pushed over, but if possible it is a very good idea.
I can't imagine not being able to use a backhoe to remove any size stump. Just keep digging around it 'till you expose enough root to cut it with a chainsaw if your backhoe won't rip it out. I can move quite a large stump with my 202 Massey.

Mike (WA) · Jul 18, 2011

Ditch-witch is not a good way to cut roots- in fact, when they come to a root bigger than a couple inches, you have to stop and cut it manually.

I go with the others- if you backhoe will dig at all, you can dig out around the roots and cut them manually. DON'T cut the tree down first- the leverage of the standing tree will help greatly in getting it out.

supergrumpy · Jul 18, 2011

amen, do not dig too close to the trunk

also is a very good way to find the weak hoses on your backhoe

Anonymous-0 · Jul 18, 2011

If you have not cut the trees down you can tip them out. Lay a chain around the trunk so it forms a U. On the long lengths of the chain pile cord wood about two feet high right next to the trunk. Take the chain end up over the pile of cord wood and around the tree trunk and hook it together as tight as you can to hold the cord wood up close to the base of the tree trunk. Hook a chain or good rope as high in the tree as you can get it and from a good long distance ie longer than the tree is tall pull on that chain with a tractor so you are tipping the tree over the pile of cord wood. The cord wood will act like a fulcrum to rip the tap root out of the ground. You may have to cut lateral roots on the side of the tree away from the cord wood pile. I was taught this years ago in forestry school and we did it in the woods with students pulling on the rope. Good luck, be careful.

El Toro · Jul 18, 2011

Cut the trees with your chain saw and then rent a stump chipper to do the stumps and roots. Hal

paul · Jul 18, 2011

You have the 2nd best tool to deal with stumps - a backhoe/excavator.

Best is a big bulldozer, and I understand your backhoe might be smaller than hoped for, just means you have to dig a little longer.

No on the trencher! Not going to work.

Stump grinder is great idea if you want less ground desturbed, tho it only goes maybe a foot deep and so could cause voids to appear years from now as a deep root decomposes. Depends what you hope to end up with.

Other ideas here are good too, depending on type of tree - deep tap root, or shallow root system...

--->Paul

Mike (WA) · Jul 18, 2011

What a great idea! Thanks for posting. I've got an 8" maple that is too close to the shop, and have been fretting over how to get it out.

Hope it doesn't get suspicious when I start piling wood against it. . .

BushogPapa · Jul 18, 2011

I have a very OLD David Bradley chainsaw that has a 10-AC chain (1/2") that is perfect for cutting roots..
Even if the chain gets damaged, it will still cut straight enough and NOT Pinch..!!
Easy to field-dress that big chain, too..!
That is all I use it for..

I agree, using a LONG chain about 4 to 5 foot up on the tree with a good tractor on it to apply pressure and the Back-Hoe working on the roots should bring out about anything...!!!

550Doug · Jul 18, 2011

Thanks for the responses.
Yes I've used my backhoe to remove many trees and it works fine when I have room to get at the roots. In this case, these trees were planted in close rows 60 years ago to be used as Christmas trees. Well due to health problems no Christmas trees were ever cut and now there are 60 foot trees 5 feet apart with masses of roots everywhere. With 200 such trees I'm thinkin' Bulldozer time!

Mike (WA) · Jul 18, 2011

Trees 12-15 inches on the stump have some timber value. With a larger dozer, there's no advantage to having the tree still standing, and probably better to have the timber gone so it doesn't get in the way.

Talk to a logging contractor and logging and stump removal.

GordoSD · Jul 18, 2011

You are describing the ultimate perfecr winter cover tree claim. What are you going to do with that acre of land? It's sure a nice plot for wildlife now. Where are you located?

Dblair · Jul 18, 2011

chain a beam to them and twist them out like they did back when they only had mules and horses.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 18, 2011

Big excavator.

Tree roots

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