My husband and I had a large silver maple split and fall on the corner of our house last year....
by
Meghan M
+12
We were able to do most of the repairs ourselves, and took down what was left of the tree. We now have a 7-9 ft tall stump left, but our measly 24" chainsaw can't get through the wide base. Any suggestions on how to get that out of there so we can grind down the stump and plant a new tree? (further from the house, naturally ;-) )
15 answers
-
Try cutting many wedge shaped pieces from stump until you get it down to a size that your saw can handle. Like a beaver would do it. Be very careful as you cut the wedges, do not over cut the center until you are sure the saw will fit though.
Hudson Designs
on Dec 08, 2011
-
Let this be a lesson to other Hometalkers: silver maple is an undesirable tree for just the reason described. Red maple and sugar maple are FAR superior!
Walter Reeves
on Dec 08, 2011
-
Do red and sugar maples hold up better in the wind? We're trying to decide what tree to plant in its place! Something with shade that WON'T fall on our house :) Thanks for the feedback!
Meghan M
on Dec 09, 2011
-
Yes they do Meghan. There are a lot of choice out there. Some of the more popular reds are 'October Glory', 'Red Sunse't and 'Summer Red'. A good choice for a Sugar Maple is 'Legacy'. There is one hybridized Maple 'Autumn Blaze' that is a hybrid of a red maple and a sugar maple that is very fast growing and as a beautiful fall color with a really nice head on it.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Dec 09, 2011
-
I'm sorry to hear about the tree and damage. Hopefully you'll get the stump problem solved and I'm glad so many folks here at Hometalk can help. :)
April
on Dec 09, 2011
-
Learned my lesson about silver maples the hard way. It was planted too close to the house ! The roots are incredibly invasive. Wrong tree in the wrong place!
Joe Washington
on Dec 10, 2011
-
What are you planning to do with that big ol log? Maple here runs 4 to 5 dollars a BF. If you have some local sawyers in your neck of the woods that tree could be worth some $$...not as much as say a fine walnut...but enough to maybe cover your stump grinding costs.
KMS Woodworks
on Dec 10, 2011
-
If you have a 24 inch saw then you should be able to cut from both sides and get at least 20 inches across. If the tree was larger then that, it was a very old tree and quite large. In any case you can always rent a bigger saw when you rent the stump grinder. I assume you do not have one sitting in the back of the tool shed.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Dec 10, 2011
-
Silver Maple looks good in a picture, but are not a sound tree. I love the colors of a Sugar Maple. If you need a maple that has a smaller spread and more upright habbit than some of the other popular maples, the Sugar Maple is the one. I also love the bright red leaved maples, but somehow, I have bonded with the Sugar Maple best. Must be those oranges mixed in with the reds. Ah, the glory of fall!
Flowerscapes Garden Design & Landscaping
on Dec 10, 2011
-
a 24" saw will take a 40" D tree easily. Just how big was this monster?!?!??
Nichter's Home Services Corp
on Dec 10, 2011
-
I don't know the exact diameter, but our height estimate was that it was about 120 ft tall.... It had been there since the house was built in the 60's, we think
Meghan M
on Dec 15, 2011
-
Whew!
Nichter's Home Services Corp
on Dec 15, 2011
-
Why bother removing the tall stump if your new tree will be planted in another area? You could nail hooks on it for hanging baskets, attach some decorative butterflies, hang a suet feeder,etc. Or paint a directional sign with the name of your favorite vacation destination (example: Key West 1200 miles) with an arrow. The possibilities are endless and you won't have to pay for stump grinding.
Zeebo
on Jun 01, 2015
-
How about turning it into a gnome home!!!
Carla
on Jun 01, 2015
-
Look to see if there is someone in your area who needs the wood and will come cut it and haul it off. We did that with a big cedar tree and ended up getting a great porch sitter in addition.
GrandmaP
on Jul 19, 2015
Sign Up to Answer
Suggested Project Book
