Gardening threads (merged)

[Kathryn41 3,205]

As the OP has authorized the re-opening of this thread and has requested it to be merged with the new Gardening thread, I am merging the two threads together . . let the gardens grow .

-VJ Moderation

[rlogan 2,036]

Trees: About 13 months ago, we took down two mature maples. The backyard tree, which was very distressed, had ants and other small bugs on and inside the bark; however, the tree man said that they weren't termites. When the trunk was cut, the core of it had an irregular dark blotch running through it. The tree in the front yard had similar distress without obvious cause. This tree was dying from the top.

At about the same time, we had a termite inspection. The man said that we had no termites near the house, but there were some in the ground near the backyard tree (which was several yards from the house).

The tree guys didn't grind up all the roots, which makes lawnmowing difficult. Might the roots be infested with bugs? What's the best removal procedure -- hire a tree outfit to use a stump-grinding machine on the roots? Try to chop them out with an ax? What do you make of the insect situation? Thanks.

Cool. We cut somewhere between 50 and 100 trees a year. Depends on the mix of birch and spruce and whether we are just doing firewood or milling too.

Anything on the property we use either a 'dozer or if there aren't many we winch out the stump and roots in pieces. Split the stump with a chain saw, or use a splitting wedge with a maul. You can also just wrap a chain around a root and attach to your truck. Drive parallel to the direction of the root and it will come right out.