Question
QUESTION: we are having 4 large poplar trees removed from our garden as the roots are spreading onto the pavement and into our neighbours garden.  Is it important to have the stump grinding and root grinding carried out to stop the roots from spreading further. Any advice would be much appreciated and is there a cheaper alternative to stump and root grinding.

ANSWER: Grinding the stump is to get the stump below the ground surface. Usually the woody part is ground to about 10-12 inches below the ground surface. Hardwood tree will sprout from the stump and the roots. I would suggest that you paint the freshly cut stump with a herbicide called Roundup. Then wait about a couple of weeks to grind the stump down below the surface. The Roundup will be carried to the roots and this will kill the root system and stop the sprouting. This will take a week or so that is the reason for the grinding delay. The roots over time will decay and you will not need to dig them up.  Roundup  will kill any green plant it gets on so be careful when you apply the herbicide. Use an old brush and dip it into the Roundup from the container--do not dilute the herbicide. You might get a few sprout anyway and if so wet a rag and wipe the new growth as it appears and this will kill the roots under the sprouts. I wear plastic gloves since the Roundup has an odor --the Roundup will not harm any thing but plants.

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QUESTION: the tree surgeon wants to do it all in one day so can we use the roundup on the stump when it is below the ground surface. The area of garden is uncultivated at the moment so there is no risk of damaging any other plants or lawn etc.

Answer
Yes it should work ok IF you treat the stump before he covers it with the chips and/or soil. Have him grind down where he plans to then apply the Roundup. You can expect a few more sprouts from the non killed roots but these can be treated with Roundup as they sprout.