Epsom Salts For Stump Killing

[Welllit]

I've read it doesn't work.

I tried it anyway.

2 Weeks ago, I drilled about 8 - 1" holes near the bark, and a couple in the center, about 6" deep in a Black Willow tree I'd cut down about 2 months ago and left a 8/10" stump sticking up above ground.

I completely filled the holes with epsom salts, then smeared more epsom salt on the entire face of the stump, then watered it without losing much salt run off, in other words l left a good layer of salt and then covered it with an old piece of tarp scrap, which I weighted down.

I looked at it yesterday and wow, the stump is already rotting like crazy.

So, my question is: Is this how epsom salt stump treatment generally works or is it working because of the kind of tree stump, a soft wood for sure, but wouldn't be effective on other types of tree stumps?

What say you?

 

[ATH]

I don'y think it is realistic to expect salt to accelerate decay. It will behave more like a biocide - killing everything including wood decay fungi. It will also slow down how quickly new stuff can grow there. A purpose made herbicide is a better plan...

 

[Jim Timber]

I don'y think it is realistic to expect salt to accelerate decay. It will behave more like a biocide - killing everything including wood decay fungi. It will also slow down how quickly new stuff can grow there. A purpose made herbicide is a better plan...

Epsom salt is not like table salt. It has more benefits to organic life than negative side effects, and is actually used as an alternative fertilizer for certain plants. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate

The added oxygen combined with the desiccation of the wood could create an ideal environment for micro organisms. Or it could just look like rapid decay from the absorbtion of the Epsom salt into the wood changing the coloration.

Is the stump punky?

 

[JTM]

Table salt - sodium chloride
Epsom salt - magnesium sulfate
Spectrcide stump remover - potassium nitrate

All are salts by chemical definition. How they accelerate the decomposition of wood I don't know but potassium nitrate does work.

 

[ATH]

Epsom salt is not like table salt. It has more benefits to organic life than negative side effects, and is actually used as an alternative fertilizer for certain plants. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_sulfate

......

But not by dumping a bunch in a concentrated area... Using as a soil amendment is a little different.

 

[Jim Timber]

But not by dumping a bunch in a concentrated area... Using as a soil amendment is a little different.

Too much of anything can burn the soil. Too much urea is a problem too. I guess that's what you meant to say right?

It's not inherently bad like sodium chloride is the gist.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

A couple of gallons of muractic acid has been helpful. Thanks

 

[Jim Timber]

I just grind mine out if I don't extract them whole.

The enzymes/bacteria in spoiled milk are known to work wonders, but you need a year to let them digest the stump and then it's punky and burns really well.

 

[Welllit]

In the past, I dug out any stumps I produced.

No longer, as I'm old enough to be in a rest home, so I now will let em rot.

So, given the variety of responses to my inquiry, I guess epsom salts is thought effective by some and not others...ok...

 

[Ted Jenkins]

It all depends on where you live and what chemicals are available. Here in California a local hardware store would order a box of enzyme pack that worked very well, but some nut job political leader thought that they would destroy the environment so they are outlawed. Some people used to build a camp fire on the stump. but only if you want to go to jail. Or hire a chipper and grind it out. In just a few years it will rot away. Thanks

 

[Jim Timber]

Burning fresh killed stumps takes a long time. I've had stumps smoldering for 4 days (winter burn, 1' of snow around it), and it still had 1/3 of the sap wood remaining completely intact. There's a lot of water stored in the pores that needs to be boiled out before the wood will ignite.

If you have the time to wait for it, you can use the enzymes, fertilizer, what have you, to break down the wood and get the water out of it; then burn later with speed.

Unless there's some compelling reason to remove the roots (that one by the mini-ex was in a pond site), I just grind them 10-12" down and fill in the hole.

 

[Welllit]

Ted,

I love California. It's one of, if not the most beautiful state in the union. Years ago, I trained at Fort Ord in Monterey.

That said, the state is held captive by socialist/communist politicos.

Move to Texas or some other free state.

Texas is not as beautiful as California, but it's a heck of a lot more free. We do have pockets of commies in the cities....Their attitude towards jihadies - just overwhelm them with love or for me, bullets...

Here in Texas you can defend yourself. (castle doctrine, which means you don't have to give up your home to a home invader or burglar) carry a gun if you care to, ah, assuming you pass a background F.B.I. check, take the training and pay the fee. Concealed or open carry. Up to you. Heck, if you want, you can even carry an out the front blade or side (switchblade to some...) yeah, we're of bunch of barbarians, who don't take kindly to criminals or terrorists...

Also, if you care to, you can with a 'Licensed To Carry' openly carry a side arm here in Texas. It ain't just for law enforcement types...

Now, getting back to the subject.

I'm going to need to decide on what to do with my newest stump. A 35/40" Cottonwood tree stump that is a massive thing that I may do the epsom salt thing or not.

I've no nanny-state considerations to contend with.

What do you suggest as I'm in no terribly urgent need to do away with?

Yes, I know, I can hire a stump grinder to expel it, but I like doing my own thing. And no, I don't care to set fire to it. I live next to a forest...

Thanks!

 

[Jason Douglas]

Soil and mulch will contain many types of wood rooting fungi. Bury it and throw a little high nitrogen fertilizer to speed it up. Basically compost it if there's no rush.

 

[old guy]

Take your saw and make lottsa deep cross cuts in it before you bury it, it will speed up decomposition.

 

[BC WetCoast]

Potassium nitrate may be difficult to obtain as it can be an explosive component. Here in Canada it's federally regulated.

Keep your political rants to the political forum.