Question
Thanks.

The stumps I will be removing are oak and birch.  Will they root sprout?  I have a wooded lot, so if they do, I guess I'm OK with that.

Thanks,

Mike
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Followup To
Question -
I have several huge oaks and a birch that are dead/dying and need to be removed (My wife is researching the actual disease/infestation).

I have several questions --

1) After the trees are cut down and removed, what is the best way to remove the stump?  We have a beautiful backyard and over time I would like to not leave a scar.  A temporary scar is fine (year or two).  Is there a chemical I can use, or some kind of stump grinder?  What do you recommend.

2) Assuming the wood is infested or diseased, with something, is it safe to use for firewood in the winter?  We burn about 4 cords of firewood per winter and I would like to use this wood if at all possible.

3) On a seperate note, I am also removing several shrubs.  But my sceptic line runs right through there somewhere.  How do you suggest I remove those shrub stumps.  And if I leave the roots, how can I ensure that they don't grow back?

Thanks,

Mike
Answer -
Hello Mike
(sorry I didn't answer sooner - its been a BUSY day!!)
#1 - Removing tree stumps.  you are right. There are only two ways to get rid of a stump.  One is chemically, the other is mechanically.  You didn't mention what kind of tree.   Some will root-sprout for many years, unless you kill it with chemicals (like willows or beech).  A grinder can be rented for about $85/day...and you'll need a truck or trailer, because these grinders are usually heavy.  You can remove the stump using brute force with a backhoe or a mattock (flat pick).  I've done both.  The backhoe works the quickest, but usually makes the biggest mess.

Check out this article if you're feeling particularly strong and healthy.
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/lazylandscaping/ht/stump_removal.htm

#2 Fire wood - it should be safe.  We burn alot of wood, too.  Diseased wood isn't toxic to people, just other trees, so don't pile it under another tree of the same species. Also if you're cutting it down with your own tools, clean the tools off with diluted bleach so you don't spread the disease to your healthy trees. (A good practice, in general, anyway)

#3 Septic lines are atleast three feet deep.  Usually deeper (per health codes, and because of this very situation).  The roots should not be in the way.  I'd just yank them up by brute force (I've used a tow chain on a truck bumper, or a winch and snatch block)
http://catalog.thecrosbygroup.com/Calculators/Calculators/snatchblockrigcalc.htm

Care should be taken, as there is a lot of pulling poser when using rope and tackle. Old-style Mennonites and such use a lever-contraptions that apply force over a lever... pretty nostalgic way to clear a field if you've only got a horse and some long wood beams.

http://michiganbackroads.com/images/stump1.JPG

So, after saying all that, maybe the shrubs should be killed with chemicals, instead.  Saves your back and pocket book.

Hope it helped you out!


Answer
OOPS!  Helps when I read the first sentence of your original question! Sorry for not reading carefully.

Oak isn't a problem.  Some Birch naturally propagates by root sprouting (River Birch), while others do not (Yellow Birch).  These are not particularly nasty as far as combating their leftover roots in the ground when removed.

In our area, any bits of wood left in the soil under lawn has a habit of creating "fairy rings", or yellowish circles where the wood decomposing underground effects the lawn's root system.   Sounds like your area is a bit less arid than ours.

All that to say, don't worry about root sprouting with oak/birch when removing old stumps.