After cutting down a tree, you’re probably ready to be rid of it once and for all. But before you get excited, you should ask, “How long does it take for tree roots to decompose?” It can take quite a while if you let nature take its course.
Pro Tree of Knoxville, your local professional tree service, can help you speed up the decomposition process if you don’t have time to wait on Mother Nature.
When Will Roots Decay?
Years from now. To be more specific, it takes about five to 10 years for lingering roots to break down.
Roots are responsible for keeping trees alive, so they contain a lot of nutrients. After chopping down a tree, the roots can keep the stump alive and well for many years before they run out of nutrients and have nothing else to give. Those stumps may start to regrow sprouts, depending on the tree, and if those sprouts create leaves, that’s more energy for the tree to use to continue growing.
The time you have left with the roots underground will vary based on their size. Long, thick roots will stick around much longer than pencil-width roots. They’ll hold a lot more nutrients and the breakdown process will take longer.
If you have a large tree, it will be better to hire professionals to remove the roots manually than to let nature do its thing in your backyard.
How To Speed Up the Process
How long does it take for tree roots to decompose if you help it out? You could shorten the duration by several years if you stay diligent.
- Keep Roots Dry: Cover the area with a tarp so the stump and soil stay as dry as possible. Any water will encourage root growth and fuel the organic matter in the soil to function as fertilizer, keeping the roots and stump happy and healthy, resulting in possible tree growth.
- Drill Holes: Drill holes all over the tree stump and fill them with salt or Epsom salt. Doing this will hurt the tree and speed up the dying process.
- Cut the Stump: Split the stump in half to allow it to dry out faster and die.
- Herbicides: Pour herbicides all over the tree stump so the roots will draw the chemicals in. This will be the fastest method you can do on your own, though it’s still a slow process. Keep in mind that herbicides will also hurt any plants nearby, so only use this method if you’re okay with losing what’s growing around the tree.
Pro Tree of Knoxville Is Faster
How long does it take for tree roots to decompose? It’s the longest of the stages of tree growth, so you can expect to wait up to 10 years before they die out. If you want a quicker process, call Pro Tree of Knoxville at (865) 294-0062. We’ll grind the stump down and dig out the roots so you don’t have to deal with them for the next decade or so.