If a tree has to be felled, the gardener has to do a lot of work. It is not only important that the tree must be felled carefully so that no one gets hurt. Disposing of tree roots also involves a lot of work and costs. What you need to consider when disposing of tree roots.
What is the best way to dispose of tree roots?
To dispose of tree roots, you can either leave the tree stump standing and integrate it into the garden concept or commission a specialist company to remove roots, trunks and branches and dispose of them professionally. The root system should only be removed independently from small trees.
Obtain tree felling permit
You can't just cut down every tree that's in your garden because it's in your way. Many municipalities have precise regulations as to the size of trees that can be disposed of. Find out in advance whether you need a permit to cut down the tree in the way and obtain it in advance.
If the tree is in a place where it endangers buildings or roads, permission is usually granted, sometimes with the condition that a new tree be replanted somewhere else.
If you saw down the tree without permission, you will be fined.
Dispose of tree roots yourself or hire a specialist company?
You can certainly fell a small tree with a small tree diameter on your own. The tree roots are then not yet so spread out that you need machines such as milling machines or cable pulleys to remove them.
For larger and taller trees, you should consider hiring a specialist company to dig up and dispose of the tree roots, trunks and branches. This does cost some money, but on the other hand, the specialist may save you from major damage to buildings and the garden itself.
Take responsibility for the disposal yourself, be sure to pay attention to safety. Motor milling machines, for example, may only be operated by people who know how to use them.
Leave the tree stump standing or not?
If you cannot avoid cutting down a tree, consider whether the entire tree, including roots, needs to be removed from the garden or whether you should leave the tree stump standing. This can often be integrated very well into the garden and becomes a decorative centerpiece, for example as
- Birdbath
- Table base
- Carving
- Parking space for hanging baskets
If the stump is left standing, the effort is much less because you don't have to dig it up or hire a company to dispose of it.
Where do I put the leftover roots?
It's not that easy to dispose of large amounts of tree roots. In many cities they are not considered green waste and are not accepted by the municipal waste collection department.
If you have commissioned a specialist company to dispose of the tree and its roots, you don't have to worry. Specialist companies take over the removal of the tree remains.
If you want to dispose of the tree yourself, your only option is often not only to dig up the roots by hand, but also to saw and chop them into small pieces. Whether the effort is worth it remains to be seen.
Tip
If you let the tree stump die in the ground, you not only save yourself a lot of work. At the same time, you do something for environmental protection. The decomposing root wood provides food and shelter for numerous useful microorganisms.
