How do I improve the view?
For years I have sat at my desk and looked at two half-dead, all-grown-together trees in the front yard by my mailbox. Yesterday I had them cut down to ground level for safety reasons (I have lots more trees) and it looks so bare! I get more light, of course, but I'm feeling so exposed. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but in the meantime any tips on how to speed up the stump rotting and also I want to plant a replacement tree in the fall -- looking at vitex, desert willow or crepe myrtle. I live in Central Texas and it is hot and humid in the summer and usually mild in the winter. I water the yard weekly with 1" of water in the summer. Or should I just get used to it, put up a nicer mailbox and save myself the work and expense?
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If you want to replace in the fall, you may want to consider renting a stump grinder or hiring someone to do it.
Could you post pictures? From where you look out? We would all be much more helpful if we could see what you're describing! Stay safe!
Drill a hole in the stump and fill with epsom salt to accelerate decomposition. Consider something like azalea, hydrangea, or clematis bush instead of a tree.
Maybe a hydrangea bush or lilac bush to add some privacy?
Do you have a picture of the front yard with the front trees cut down? You could plant the tree, or do a flower bed with some large easy care shrubs, or grass it over if you do not want the hassle. A picture of your view, or the front of the house from the street might help you decide what would look best.
Here are some sites for you.
https://earthdevelopmentinc.com/diy-tree-stump-removal/
https://mrtreeservices.com/blog/how-to-rot-tree-stumps/
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/happens-roots-after-cutting-down-tree-74495.html
My vote is for a crepe myrtle, do not get too huge that requires expensive maintenance, drought friendly, roots are not invasive.
In the interim, why not use window film so you don't feel so exposed? Easily removed when the tree grows enough to provide a filter for you.
you can drill holes in the stumps and apply ice cream salt and it will eventually kill the stumps but it takes several years- I would grind the stumps down we just had that done to 30 yr old trees and it gives us a ready place to plant flowers or grass now
crepe myrtles are messy and also grow fast and can be invasive (taken me years to kill mine) I think a nicer mailbox with plants like clematis to climb on the mailbox with a trellis or other viney plant would be nice
https://www.mycedarwood.com/post/2018/09/03/3-landscaping-ideas-after-tree-removal
We ended up calling a landscaper in and grinding down our stumps. Lived with those things for years and it made mowing and weed eating a real pain. Cost less then $400 to get 5 tree stumps ground down.
The price to hire a pro to grind the stumps down will vary according to where you live. However, while it may not be the cheapest, it will be the fastest and easiest way for to way to be rid of them!
If you decide to keep the stumps, here are some cool ideas for turning the stumps into something fun to look at.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/673640056747776670/
Hello Bbunny,
The choice is yours! You could utilise the tree stump and place a large planter on top or drill it out and fill it with plants, or drill it and use Root Rotter in the holes. You could place a Bird Bath etc. on top of stump and cut a bed for flowers around it, that would look nice, or erect a trellis around the stump so you don't see it rotting and you could grow climbers up the trellis for more privacy..........Enjoy the options!
Drill some holes in the stumps, dump in some epsom salts, water it, and the stumps will be dead in no time. What about a window box that you can plant? You'll see the plants as you look out and the height will give you some privacy.