You had the tree cut down months ago and little shoots keep popping up around the stump like it never got the message. Every few weeks there is new green growth coming out of the base or around the edges and no matter how many times you cut it back it just comes right back. This is one of the more frustrating things homeowners in Spring Hill deal with after tree removal and it happens because the stump and root system are still alive underground.
Why the Tree Keeps Trying to Come Back
When a tree gets cut down the root system underneath does not die immediately. The roots are still alive and they still have energy stored in them. Certain species particularly oaks and other hardwoods will keep sending up new growth from the stump and from the roots in an attempt to reestablish the tree. The stump is essentially trying to survive. As long as the root system has stored energy it will keep pushing out new shoots.
This is more common with certain species than others but in Spring Hill where mature oak trees dominate most yards it is one of the most frequent complaints homeowners have after tree removal. The tree comes down and within a few weeks the stump is already sprouting again.
Why Cutting the Shoots Down Does Not Stop It
Every time you cut the new growth back the stump responds by sending up more. The root system is still intact underground and it keeps feeding new sprouts. You can mow over them, cut them back manually or trim them down to the stump surface and the same thing happens again a few weeks later. The only way to stop the cycle is to eliminate the food source which is the stump and root system itself.
How Far the Roots Can Spread
What surprises a lot of homeowners is when sprouts start appearing farther out in the yard away from the stump. This happens because the root system on a large tree extends well beyond the base of the trunk. Shoots can emerge from roots that are ten or fifteen feet away from where the tree was standing. Homeowners sometimes notice random green sprouts appearing in the lawn and do not connect them to the old stump until they trace them back underground.
Why the Problem Does Not Resolve on Its Own
Left alone a stump will keep sprouting for years. Some species will eventually exhaust their stored energy and stop but the process takes a long time and in the meantime the yard never looks finished and the mowing becomes a constant annoyance. The stump also continues to decay underground during this time which creates its own set of problems with uneven ground and soil conditions in that area of the yard.
If your stump in Spring Hill keeps sprouting new growth after tree removal Spring Hill Tree Specialists handles stump grinding throughout Hernando County. We grind stumps below grade which eliminates the base the root system is feeding from and stops the regrowth. You can read more in why is grass not growing around my tree stump and why are mushrooms growing around my old tree stump. Find out more about our tree service in Spring Hill. Free estimates on all work.