Will a tree stump grow back after it is cut or ground?

Will a stump grow back?

It can, and it depends on the tree. Iowa State Extension says “some stumps will resprout after the tree is cut down.” Illinois Extension says “if a live tree is cut down, often it will resprout from the stump or the surrounding root system.”

That is sprouting, which is new growth from living tissue left behind. The sources we opened do not give a list of which species resprout and which do not. If you know your tree species, ask your county extension office.

Does grinding stop regrowth?

Grinding removes the stump, but it does not treat what is left. Purdue Extension, in a question about planting grass over a ground stump, says: “Also, sprouts may be generated due to the roots acting as energy storage for the tree.” Purdue’s advice for those sprouts is “simply treat them with typical lawn herbicide as needed at the label recommended rates.”

Iowa State Extension says a grinder chews away “the stump and any large lateral roots, typically down 8 to 12 inches.” Roots outside that zone stay in the ground. Whether sprouts show up depends on the tree. See Do roots die after stump grinding?.

What are stump sprouts and suckers?

A stump sprout grows from the stump or from near its base. A sucker grows from a root, farther from the stump. Resprouting covers both. Iowa State describes cutting sprouts and repeating until they stop emerging.

Do ash stumps in Cincinnati grow back?

Yes, and the Ohio State University Extension BYGL newsletter explains why. Emerald ash borer was confirmed in Hamilton County in 2007. The page says “EAB only kills the above-ground portion of their ash hosts. This meant new growth could and did resprout from the base.”

The same page says “ash regeneration became evident in southwest Ohio as early as 2008 with regrowth from the basal portions of dead trees and stumps forming multi-stemmed ‘bush ash.’” The new stems were attacked “as soon as the new stems reached a sufficient girth to support EAB larvae.”

For homeowners this means a dead ash stump in the Cincinnati area can send up shoots for years. Read the pillar Ash trees, emerald ash borer and stumps and the glossary entries for bush ash, emerald ash borer and ash tree. See also Dead ash tree stump.

How do you stop a stump from sprouting?

Extension sources describe herbicide on a freshly cut stump and repeat cutting of sprouts. These are the steps as the sources state them. Follow the product label on every step.

1. Apply herbicide right after cutting. Iowa State says “applying herbicides to the stump right after cutting can help reduce resprouting,” using products with the active ingredients glyphosate, triclopyr or imazapyr. Illinois says to treat the outer sapwood while the cut is fresh with a systemic herbicide containing glyphosate or triclopyr.
2. Apply it to the living layer. Iowa State says herbicides “only need to be applied to the living cambium tissue, which is in a ring just below the bark,” and to clean off any sawdust or soil first.
3. Avoid spring. Penn State says cut-stump treatments “should not be applied in spring when upward sap flow renders them ineffective.” It says treatments in late summer and fall are preferred.
4. Cut sprouts and retreat. Iowa State says “if sprouts appear after the herbicide application, cut the sprouts and reapply the herbicide,” and to repeat until sprouts stop.

A ground-out stump has no fresh cut. Iowa State says herbicide poured on a stump well after the tree’s removal “will only leach into the soil and potentially damage nearby plants.” That is why Purdue’s advice for sprouts on a ground stump is to treat the sprouts. Read Does stump killer work? for more.

Is there a tree where herbicide on the stump does not work?

Yes. Penn State Extension’s cut-stump video names tree of heaven. It says “cut stump treatments control the stump, but not the roots, and the tree will resprout prolifically” for that species, and suggests basal bark or hack-and-squirt methods instead. The video says treatments “may reduce root systems substantially, but not entirely,” and says to retreat as needed. For honeysuckle, see Honeysuckle stumps and roots.

What if I just want it gone?

Stump removal options differ in how much root they take with them. See Stump grinding vs stump removal and the pillar Tree roots, stumps and regrowth. For species questions, see Pine, oak and maple stump grinding.

Next step

To have a stump ground out, see the stump grinding service. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.