tree
I recently had a tree stump removed by a tree company. My lawn care company filled the hole with dirt.
However they both forgot to put in root killer. I now have about a 3-4 ft circle around the newly laid grass. The tree is a Texas Live Oak. There a hundreds of roots now sounding the grass.
What is the best way to remove these roots?
I had similar concerns with my home purchase in the U.S. about 7 years ago. It was noted on my home inspection that A tree had been recently removed (long enough ago for grass to re-grow over the area but there was still a depression) from the front yard where the main lines go.
I had a plumber run a scope down the lines starting at a basement cleanout/drain and inspect the lines all the way to the street to determine if there is any current damage from roots (or anything else). Cost me an extra $125 but most of that was simply the service call fee (compared to the estimated 10K repairs would have cost, I was happy to pay it).
Of course, this only checks for existing damage. There is the slimmest of chances that a tree root could be just on the verge of busting through which would have been undetectable but in my case where the tree had already been removed that chance is diminished since tree roots eventually stop growing after the tree is removed. In your case (with live trees), it would be a higher chance but still unlikely and there really isn't anything else you could do to prevent it that would be cost effective.
I would get some heavy duty pipe jacks to support the trunk, placing them on a square piece of 1" plywood to distribute the weight. Prop the tree with 4x4 lumber to prevent rolling; one end in a hole in the turf, the other end nailed to the tree. Once stabilized, cut all extraneous non-supporting branches, limbs and roots including the portion that hangs over the fence.
Then use a trolley jack to lower the (cut off) tree top to the ground and re-stabilize with 4x4s; carefully chop up the bugger.
It may end up being easier to chop up if you don't let it rest on the ground but instead, land it on some wood cribbing.
Best Answer
A woody plant killer like crossbow is the only way I know of and it won’t hurt the lawn. I usually paint the stump just after cutting a tree around the outside just inside the bark with concentrated crossbow and let that sit for at least a few weeks. If any shoots come up hit them with crossbow it won’t kill the lawn unless it is all dandelion’s. This has worked for me on even cotton wood that will continue to put shoots up for years if not treated when cut down.