Killing a tree stump - interesting solution

[hellohelenhere]

I was asking for advice a while back, on getting rid of some bushes in my tiny front garden. There's a badly-placed holly, and some dogwood that has suckered its way right round the entire area. I've decided I'm going to kill both, in the spring, with glyphosate, then do my best to dig out the dogwood suckers, and cut the holly down to a stump.

What to do with that stump is a question... and I found an interesting suggestion, on how to encourage it to rot: drill holes into it and fill with rot-inducing foodstuff!
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=50

Anyone encountered this technique before?

I don't think I can be bothered to even *think* about digging out the holly roots, I'd rather plant annuals around it - or use pots - while it starts rotting.

[hellohelenhere]

[kt.]

What to do with that stump is a question... and I found an interesting suggestion, on how to encourage it to rot: drill holes into it and fill with rot-inducing foodstuff!
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=50

Anyone encountered this technique before?

I drilled holes in a tree stump when using 'Deeproot'.  The only downside to drilling the holes as opposed to digging is the length of time it takes to rot down...... months :(

[Baccy Man]

Drilling holes does induce rot as they fill with water it doesn't take long for rot to set in. Another similar method people use is to take a bucket full of soil from a woodland area (proper woodland not just an area of conifers) & cover the stump with it, the soil is full of fungi spores which penetrate the stump & can break it down over a year or so.
The quickest way to get rid of a stump would be either to use a grubbing mattock you can dig out most stumps in a few minutes, stumps in awkward places or particularly large stumps may take up to half an hour to dig out. Alternately use a winch & you will have the stump out in a few minutes. If you don't have either a mattock or a winch & the stump removal is a one off job then the mattock would be the better tool to invest in, you should be able to buy one for less than a tenner & they are very useful digging tools to have around.

[hellohelenhere]

I could try hacking it with my hand axe! I guess, by the way, that a 6ft holly bush is pretty much impossible to dig up and replant, without machinery and so forth? It's in a really awkward place, too - flush against the gate post and tarmac path. Probly not even worth the effort of thinking about!