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How to Get Rid of Old Lilac Roots and Trunks

By: Samantha Belyeu

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11 November, 2010

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Lilac roots and stumps vary in size depending on the cultivar and age of the lilac tree. When the roots are too large or obstinate to get out of the ground with a spade, you can rot them out slowly, or, if space permits, use a stump grinder to dispose of them sooner rather than later.

Decaying the Stump

Using a wood saw, chainsaw or axe, saw or chop off any remaining upper portions of the tree at the base. Use protective eyewear. Angle your axe chops so the portions cut away are wedge shaped.

With wood bits, drill small (1/4- to 1/2-inch diameter) holes every 2 inches on the surface of the stump. The holes should be about 2 inches deep. Fill the holes with a commercial stump remover according to package directions. Alternatively, fill the holes with saltpeter fertilizer, and keep the stump moist to speed decomposition. Covering the stump with soil and keeping it moist will encourage the growth of fungus and other decaying organisms.

Lilac roots and stumps vary in size depending on the cultivar and age of the lilac tree.
When the roots are too large or obstinate to get out of the ground with a spade, you can rot them out slowly, or, if space permits, use a stump grinder to dispose of them sooner rather than later.

Dig out the decomposed lilac stump with a sturdy spade after six months to two years of decomposition. Decomposition speed depends on the climate and how long the lilac has been dead. Most of the large roots will come out easily at this point, too.

Grinding the Stump

Clear all debris and rocks from around the stump, even rocks in the ground near the stump. Rocks cause the grinder to jump, a danger you want to avoid. Cut the lilac stump as close to the ground as possible. The more tall, narrow branches you have to grind, the more the grinder will jump.

Dig out the decomposed lilac stump with a sturdy spade after six months to two years of decomposition.
Most of the large roots will come out easily at this point, too.

Rent a stump grinder. Smaller, walk-behind stump grinders work well on lilac stumps, and are easier for homeowners to use. Make sure the blades are sharp. Ask the attendant if the blades have been sharpened recently, and if they can be sharpened before you take the grinder home.

Move the grinder in slow, shallow, side-to-side passes across the stump. If the stump is wide, move the grinder forward as you make your passes to get the entire stump. Repeat as necessary until the stump is ground completely. If you need to clear chips and dirt away for any reason, turn the grinder off first.

Smaller, walk-behind stump grinders work well on lilac stumps, and are easier for homeowners to use.
If you need to clear chips and dirt away for any reason, turn the grinder off first.

Remove large, lateral roots by digging around them with a spade, then sawing them out with a handsaw or a circular saw. To avoid losing control of the circular saw or damaging it, remove any rocks near the area before you cut.

Tip

Use the broken wood chunks from the lilac roots as mulch, or add them to your compost pile.

Warning

Check the label on any commercial stump removers for compounds that are toxic and should not be added to compost piles.

Use protective eyewear when operating any electric or gas-powered machinery.

Only rent stump grinders with the grinder on the opposite end of the handle from the operator. Grinders on the same side of the handle as the operator are obsolete and very dangerous.

Do not use a stump grinder while other people, children, or pets are nearby. Stump grinders can jump when they hit a rock or other debris, and harm bystanders as well as the operator.

Never force the stump grinder down. Forcing only increases the chances it will jump. Let it chew the stump at its own pace.

Never leave the grinder unattended while it's on, even for a moment. Keep a firm grip on the handles at all times while in operation.