Sycamore stump removal - shallow or deep roots?

lww05 · Apr 12, 2005

I began digging up a Sycamore stump this evening that is about 24" diameter. This thing will force me to take my time especially using a BX23. Glad I have this one only to do.

I think I have about half of it done and what I found out so far is that the main side roots are fairly shallow. I am curious if anybody out there has dug up one of these and can tell me if this type of tree has a deep main tap root or will I get lucky and it wind up to be mostly a shallow system.

Thanks

Buckcreek · Apr 13, 2005

I dug one up last summer i think it was close to 30'' diameter, and it was tough . I was using a mini excavator i forget the name of it i rented it for the weekend, i poped a simmilar sized maple stump out in about 20 minutes, and i worked hours on the sycamore and almost gave up . It had some big tap roots about 10'' running out on four corners and one going down. i broke a couple with the excavator and cut a couple with a chainsaw. after i got it broke loose i almost never got it out of the hole with this decent sized mini excavator. I still have the stump havent had time to try to burn it. after i cut some pieces of root off of it and got some dirt out of it i can waller it around with my BX but barely . When i start trying to get rid of it im goin to wash somemore dirt out with the pressure washer. i duf as wide and as deep as i could with the excavater before i got it loose i think the excavator would reach atleast 10 down, but not forsure. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Buckcreek · Apr 13, 2005

oh yeah and when i cut the sycamore tree i left about 4 foot out of the ground for leverage. something i learned along time ago. if i can get my dads digital camera i will take a pic of the stump. ive cut alot of pieces off it and its still pretty big. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif in the pic i attached you can barely see it in left hand side across from the fith wheel trailer. next to the hill.

edski · Apr 13, 2005

1st I don't know the root structure of a sycamore, but would guess shallow and wide.
2nd It doesn't really matter cuz once you start, you gotta finish.

This buck season I took a friend out who hadn't hunted before. Just like you have to bait your own hook...you've got to dress your own deer. Every time he looked up at me and asked, "is that enough?" I answered, " keep on diggin."