Apple tree roots

[digger2]

I'm about to do a favor for this older gentleman i know.He lets me hunt on his property anytime i want so i owe it to him.Its an old apple tree he wants taken out,stump and all.Its no problem cutting it down.What i want to know is how in general do apple tree roots run-straight out,straight down or a combination.I dont know what kind of apple tree it is,just want to get a general idea of what to expect when i dig it out,if anybody can tell me.
Oh yeah,the stump will be about 20" across after cutting if that matters..............digger2

 

[ToadHill]

Tree roots run out from the trunk toward the drip line of the tree. If your dig out the stump the roots stretching out from it are the structural support for the tree but will die when you cut off the leaf growth.

As long as you can cut through the roots with your hoe, you don't have to dig out too far from the trunk. With q 20" stump, I'll bet the ball of roots directly below the stump will be about 3 or 4 feet down.

 

[digger2]

Thanks Toad.Although this tree is'nt that big,its nice to have a rough idea.
digger2

 

[Tororider]

Make sure to post pictures. Good luck

 

[nolefan]

You may want to consider it for firewood as its one of the hotter burning woods out there.

 

[Danno1]

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...or for smoking meat.

.

 

[KentT]

Personally, I'd recommend that since you have a backhoe that you try Eddie's method of taking down the tree, stump and all, without cutting the tree down beforehand. Then you have the weight of the treetop pulling the roots and stump out of the ground. Should be a LOT less digging required.