Asked on May 09, 2018

How do I stop tree stump from growing?

Judy Jarvos
by Judy Jarvos
I have a gnarly old tree stump that has continued to grow from the trunk. My question is how do I stop it from sprouting all the way up the trunk. I break them off regularly. I love how this tree looks when it is not sprouting.
  30 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on May 09, 2018

    You could try painting it with a non toxic tree paint

  • Georgia Anderson Georgia Anderson on May 10, 2018

    You could rent a stump remover and cut it out. You could also try putting charcoal on top of it and keep it burning for a week or so.

  • Bonny Paquette Bonny Paquette on May 10, 2018

    drill holes in the top


  • We327738492 We327738492 on May 10, 2018

    Drill multiple 1" holes on top and pack with Epson salt.

  • Julie Julie on May 10, 2018

    Yes after you drill holes put in a stump killer.

  • Dianne Bowers Turner Dianne Bowers Turner on May 10, 2018

    I drilled some holes and filled with Rock Salt.

  • Patricia Patricia on May 10, 2018

    Depending on the type of tree, it could be the root system is still alive and well. Need to call a nursery or tree service to see what your options are. Could cut the stump low to the ground and then drill large holes and then pack with damp salt. You need to be close to the tap root


  • Sarah Barganier Sarah Barganier on May 10, 2018

    My father killed stumps by drilling holes in the top and putting in old used motor oil.

  • Pam Walker Pam Walker on May 10, 2018

    Saw it off at the top & make it look like a rooftop. /\ Slather the top with some clear coat (comes in a spray paint can). Paint the whole thing & use some embellishments & you've got a decorative idea for your yard. Here's some examples:

    https://www.google.com/search?q=TREE+STUMP+HOUSE&client=firefox-b-1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiG2bPvnvvaAhVKPN8KHdBkBZEQ_AUICigB&biw=1760&bih=830


  • Charlie Russom Charlie Russom on May 10, 2018

    Follow this link, https://www.dirtdoctor.com/garden/Tree-Stump-Removal-with-Saltpeter-Newsletter_vq13210.htm,

    There are a couple of ways, on this site, to stop stumps from growing and kill them organically. This site is for Howard Garrett, The Dirt Doctor. Lots of great tips for your lawn and garden.

  • Steven Steven on May 10, 2018

    What I'm hearing is you like the tree, but not all the sprouts you get on the trunk. Sucker sprouts and water sprouts can provide clues to a tree's health. Both types of sprouts often indicate vigorous growth below the sprouts but may suggest that the tree has injury or dead wood above the sprouts. The tree is trying to compensate using these sprouts to increase vigor. You are doing the right thing by tearing the new sprouts off. There really isn't a good and safe way to stop the sprouts from sprouting. Sorry.

  • Susan K Mullins Susan K Mullins on May 10, 2018

    Love the beauty of this tree. I think you just have to continue snapping the sprouts. I walk my yard often, just enjoying Godā€™s beautiful trees and flowers. On my walks, I snapped off sprouts on trees, so new limbs wonā€™t grow. Probably not the answer you wanted, but consider the beauty of your tree and what it brings to your yard.

  • Pete Townsend Pete Townsend on May 10, 2018

    Cut a slice in the top of the stump and pour Epson Salt in it. That should do the trick.

  • Laura Jones Laura Jones on May 10, 2018

    Salt will kill it but after it dies the trunk will start to rot unless you cut it and seal it.I have seen people put a little door and windows on them and make them look like a fairy house.


  • Archie Archie on May 10, 2018

    As long as it's in the ground and is alive it will continue to grow. If you want to kill it and remove it the easy way then drill holes and use this.

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Spectracide-1-lb-Stump-Remover-Hg-66420-6/202097353


  • Jeri Morgan Jeri Morgan on May 10, 2018

    I have drilled holes and filled with molasses or sugar. Worked.

  • Danielle Odin Danielle Odin on May 10, 2018

    He likes the tree stump. It sounds as if he wants to keep it not kill it.

  • Mam11901203 Mam11901203 on May 10, 2018

    What I understand she doesn't want to kill the tree. The only way is to just clip off the sprouts if you cut it in top it will sprout more and unless you want it to die and rot dint add salt to it or tree stump remover. If you like it which it has a great look just cut them off and enjoy it strange shape.

  • Ginny Ginny on May 10, 2018

    In order to kill a wisteria bush so we could have a patio laid, my ex-husband - back in the 70's - dug a 3' trench around the bush; poured in Drano in a can; wet the Drano and put the dirt back in the hold. It worked. Of course, we would find something else less toxic to use nowadays.

  • Judy Jarvos Judy Jarvos on May 10, 2018

    Thank you. That is what I have been doing

  • Cathy Cathy on May 11, 2018

    Paint it with Round up.

  • Lateforthetrain Lateforthetrain on May 11, 2018

    Epson salt..Drill holes into the stump and around the base. Pour in epsom salts and that should do it.


  • Tex26652831 Tex26652831 on May 11, 2018

    I have one behind my fence that does the same thing. The core is pretty rotten but it keeps sprouting from the outside. I cut or break them off and spray the spot where it was with roundup. They get fewer every time I do that.

  • Donna Allen Donna Allen on May 11, 2018

    Get the stump ground up. Reasonably priced usually and they usually clean it up.


  • Michael Oglesby Michael Oglesby on May 12, 2018

    A tree will grow as long as it is alive. So if you want to stop its growth you have to kill it. Once you kill it that gnarly stump we'll start to rut and in 10 years or so it'll be dangerous and have to be taken down. But if you want to enjoy it for that time without a growing you can ring the stump cut a ring in the park deep enough to stop the sap flow once the sap flow is stopped the leaves won't get water and the roots won't get nourishment from photosynthesis. The tree will die in one season or less. If you cut the ring very near the base of the tree sometimes you can actually see the sap going down due to loss of its capillary pressure and the tree dying. For me seeing that is kind of a sad thing.

  • Margaret Knowles Margaret Knowles on May 13, 2018

    Roundup sells a weed killer that comes in a container like deodorants, it twists up. You just rub it on the plants where you want to kill it. We used it last year to suckers on an old stump. Just break or cut them off, them rub the product on the raw area. Worked good for us. We bought at Lowe's, but I imagine anyplace that sells Roundup weed killer would have it.

  • Christina Yates Christina Yates on May 13, 2018

    After my gran had a tree cut down which was too close to her house she was advised to wee into a bucket in the morning and pour this over the stump, it worked!!

  • Jackie Jackie on May 17, 2018

    My dad used to use copper nails.

  • Susan Susan on May 22, 2018

    JHoule, however you choose to take care of this problem, please select the one most eco friendly. You may want to plant something else there one day and you don't want poisoned soil. Thank you


  • Craig Craig on Jul 15, 2019

    Cover the entire stump with heavy black plastic and tie it off the stump will suffocate and die naturally. this also works on pesky bushes cut as low as possible and cover with black plastic. It works best in the summer due to lack of water.