We recently took down a problem oak because it was close to our house. we like the stump (we have our gnome and several potted plants on it) but we cannot keep it from sprouting. new growth will sprout and grow several feet a week. how can we prevent these sprouts? -W. Philpott 0705
Dear Bill.
The stump will probably rot and the new sprouts would take its place. You can just keep cutting the sprouts and eventually they will slow down as the stored energy in the root system wanes. Oak stumps are often not too deep and you might try to dig it out. Perhaps you could try to hack away at the bark, drying the cambium, and thus inhibiting the spouting. Of course there are herbicides that will work, but in this case I think you might do well to try other methods. Good luck.
--Tom
