Question
QUESTION: hi..just had a large pine tree cut down and the stump removal was done. the yard is a mess of wood shreds all over the place. i am trying to fix it so as not to worry about every termite and ant in the world coming over here to eat. what can i do to fix it so as not to worry about termites and ants? do i need to kill the roots and how is that done? thank you much!!

ANSWER: You do not need to do anything as far as the roots are concerned--pines will not sprout from roots so you will not get any new pines sprouting. Sounds like you had the stump ground down below the ground surface. This is where the wood chips came from. Termites will not infest the chips--termites feed on wood pieces and construct mud tunnels as they feed, The tunnels keep moisture for the insects. They can not construct these tunnels on the chips and will not be a problem. You can rake up the excess wood chips and use them as mulch around bedding plants if you want too just dispose of them. Ants should not be a problem with the chip since the wood will dry out quickly and be of no interest to the ants. Do not worry about the chips.

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QUESTION: hi and thank you!! just one more question. the guy who took the tree down left a piece of it about 3 feet tall and over three feet wide. he told me that he was not going to cut this piece because he did 'not want to stress out his grinder' so now i am buring it up with charcoal and its taking forever. this thing is way to heavy to lift. any suggestions on how to break it up more quickly then charcoal and lighter fluid? still worry about termites finding that piece. thank!!

Answer
Ok It seems that you were left a piece of the trunk already cut from the stump. Is that right??

If so it will take a long time to burn the piece of the log up. If you have the room in your yard I would make a plant stand etc. out of it

Some ideas
If you抮e tired of looking at an old tree stump in your yard, don抰 despair. You don抰 have to get rid of the stump. There are many creative options and ideas for using a tree stump, and these ideas

Avoid the work and expense of having a tree stump removed. Instead of paying someone to remove a tree stump, and instead of trying to remove the stump yourself, consider the following creative ideas for sprucing up a tree stump and putting it to good use. With these creative ideas, your old tree stump will become as useful and attractive as the tree that once grew in its place.

Tree Stump Planter

Why not turn an old tree stump into a rustic planter? Grind or chisel out the center of the stump, fill it with rich potting soil, and plant perennials, trailing vines, or other foliage of your choice. Although chiseling or grinding out a stump can be a lot of work, a stump filled with beautiful flowers will add a lot of beauty and interest to your yard while making use of an otherwise unattractive and worthless stump.

Tree Stump Display

When you抮e stuck with lemons, why not make lemonade? Turn an old unsightly tree stump into a beautiful display. Create a circular display of potted plants, and set a concrete statue or a gazing ball perched on a stand in the center.

You might also consider placing a birdhouse or an attractive birdfeeder in the center of your tree stump display, and surround it with potted foliage. The birds that once enjoyed the shade and protection of the former tree will now be able to enjoy the protection and shade of the plants and the feeder or birdhouse that now takes its place.

It will rot eventually on its own but your should not have a problem with termites.

You can always get someone to cut it up and haul it off--the tree cutter should have done this when he hauled off the rest of the tree.

NOW IF the cutter left a 2 foot high stump and you paid for grinding of the stump you did not get what you paid for.

As you can tell I am having a problem grasping exactly what this looks like. Please if you could attach a picture to the question ad that should clear it up. Thanks.