Question
i recently had someone cut down my hedges in my backyard down to the ground.  i live in new england.  winter is coming soon.  just wanted to know how to kill the stumps(roots) in the ground.  they were at least 5 - 5 1/2  feet high.  too much work for me to maintain.   do i need to somehow dig out the stumps or is there something i can put on them to make them die.   thank you

Answer
Hello Sandy

It is wise to remove the stumps one way or another.  If they are left to rot of their own accord they could attract honey fungus which can also affect other shrubs/trees in the vicinity.

You can dig out the stump and as much root as possible.  As this is usually pretty hard work you may want to hire someone to do it for you.

The other way is, of course, to use chemicals to accelerate rotting. A propriety brand of ammonium sulphamate, which you should be able to get from a garden center, should be applied to the top of the stump where it was cut - follow the instructions carefully, and always wear gloves. You should wait at least 12 weeks before planting anything else in the area.