Question
My "red bud" tree died last summer.  It was about 9 inches in diameter at the truck base.  I cut the main branches off, and left the top 5 feet, and larger branches, alone.  They're still there.  I want to pull out the tree by hooking a line to a truck, and pull it out.  Will that work?  How extensive is the root system?
THANKS,
Bob

Answer
The roots system will spread about 1 1/2 time the width of the branches. As you go further from the trunk the roots will be smaller. It should not be more than about 3 feet deep and it will not have a tap roots. I would dig around the stump about 3 feet out from the trunk and cut the roots then pull it. It still may not move and you can damage the truck. It should come up this way--without first cutting the roots around the trunk it may be next to impossible to pull it out. It will also depend on the type of soil--sandy soil will be easier then clay soils. Being that the trunk was 9 inch in diameter you may just have to hire someone to grind the stump.

Here is a web link that talks about removing trees and shrubs and give advice on how to. Good Luck

http://www.freeplants.com/tree-stump-removal-instructions.htm