Marianne's Response

What to do with a decaying tree stump

I am our church’s volunteer gardener. Almost 10 years ago, a large apple tree was removed, and the stump was shredded. Each year numerous large spongy-like growths appear in the grass where the tree had once been. Several times during the summer I poke the masses with my pitchfork and they come up readily, along with a goodly amount of grass. I’ve been doing this for the last four years and this year is the first I’ve noticed the “growths” are getting fewer and don’t appear to be as large. Although they are diminishing a little, is there no end? Suggestions?

I have no photo at this time since last week I dutifully removed all that had grown and tossed them in the garbage.

Posted by Karen Greer on August 27, 2014

Marianne's Response

Sounds like nature is doing her thing and using various fungi to break down the roots still left in the ground from the tree. You can let the fungi slowly grow and absorb the wood below or add a mound of soil and plant something on top of this decaying stump. Don't worry about the lawn, as it will fill in as soon as the fungus is done decomposing. Another option is to make a circle of bricks or stone, fill in with gravel a few inches deep and top it with a container garden, sun dial or bird bath. Now the rotting process can continue underground unseen. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

    Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library

    Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need — fast!

    My Topics

    View questions you submitted to Marianne in the past

    VIEW MY QUESTIONS