Should the BBC really be encouraging this?

[Pieman]

Whilst looking for info on Stump grinders (I have about 12 tree stumps to get out), I found this on the BBC H2G2 Section......

BBC - h2g2 - Tree Stump Extraction

However I am concerned and feel that I should write to Barry Took at Points of View.......read Step 9......Should the BBC be encouraging the use of home explosives ???

[Shortie]

Not sure if they should or not, but they do have a foot note to say not suggested for ametures which I guess covers them?

[Pieman]

Another little gem on the BBC - I see the user has not increased their post count since 2006,.,.....do you think he tried it in Peaty Soil ???

tree stump removal
Post: 1
Posted Jul 31, 2006 by smilingtreeman
I understand that it is possible to burn out a tree stump by using the following method, I have not used it or seen it done, but have heard that it does work; (if anybody has used it or seen it done please let me know the results)

drill 4 x 1/2" holes approx 3" deep per square foot of stump top(or as deep as required to be halfway to ground level at hole bottom), pour in granulated sodium chlorate, cover hole tops (a sheet of something over the stump will do, or a mud-plug in each), leave for 10 - 12 weeks, then light a fire on top of stump, the absorbed sodium chlorate will cause stump to burn quite quickly and deep into it. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD ON PEATY SOILS which will burn underground without you knowing it's doing so! DO NOT SET FIRE TO THE STUMP IN DRY WEATHER, best carry out this operation so the fire lighting element takes place in winter months. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD NEAR BUILDINGS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD CATCH FIRE.

(Source : BBC - h2g2 - A Conversation Forum)

[kirsty b]

An interesting little read. Written, I suspect, with tongue firmly in cheek!!

[lynda66]

ooooooo sounds like fun, i have some stumps to remove ....... though i do like the idea of a gnome with an axe

[Hilary B]

Another little gem on the BBC - I see the user has not increased their post count since 2006,.,.....do you think he tried it in Peaty Soil ???

tree stump removal
Post: 1
Posted Jul 31, 2006 by smilingtreeman
I understand that it is possible to burn out a tree stump by using the following method, I have not used it or seen it done, but have heard that it does work; (if anybody has used it or seen it done please let me know the results)

drill 4 x 1/2" holes approx 3" deep per square foot of stump top(or as deep as required to be halfway to ground level at hole bottom), pour in granulated sodium chlorate, cover hole tops (a sheet of something over the stump will do, or a mud-plug in each), leave for 10 - 12 weeks, then light a fire on top of stump, the absorbed sodium chlorate will cause stump to burn quite quickly and deep into it. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD ON PEATY SOILS which will burn underground without you knowing it's doing so! DO NOT SET FIRE TO THE STUMP IN DRY WEATHER, best carry out this operation so the fire lighting element takes place in winter months. DO NOT USE THIS METHOD NEAR BUILDINGS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD CATCH FIRE.

(Source : BBC - h2g2 - A Conversation Forum)

No, I've never tried it, but I HAVE heard of (approximately) that method before. John Seymour describes it (in a little less detail) in one of his Self-Sufficiency books.
I must add that if a tree is particularly stubborn on peaty soil there is something VERY odd happening!

[Peter]

Slightly more to the point:

1. Sodium Chlorate as sold for UK weedkilling use contains a fire retardant chemical.
2. Sodium Chlorate is to be withdrawn.

[Hilary B]

Slightly more to the point:

1. Sodium Chlorate as sold for UK weedkilling use contains a fire retardant chemical.
2. Sodium Chlorate is to be withdrawn.

There is that too<g> Nitrate (esp potassium nitrate) would work even better, but is not readily available, due to its capability for use in explosives.

[SueA]

Whilst looking for info on Stump grinders (I have about 12 tree stumps to get out), I found this on the BBC H2G2 Section......

BBC - h2g2 - Tree Stump Extraction

However I am concerned and feel that I should write to Barry Took at Points of View.......read Step 9......Should the BBC be encouraging the use of home explosives ???

It does say at the bottom that the BBC takes no responsibility for external sites which this is & I think it's written partly as a joke, it does say if you haven't got rid of the stump by stage 7 then skip to 'call a professional'!
By the way I don't think Barry Took would reply or read your letter out anyway Pieman... he's been dead about 6 years!

[Pieman]

It does say at the bottom that the BBC takes no responsibility for external sites which this is & I think it's written partly as a joke, it does say if you haven't got rid of the stump by stage 7 then skip to 'call a professional'!
By the way I don't think Barry Took would reply or read your letter out anyway Pieman... he's been dead about 6 years!

Damn - thats why he's never replied to my letters!!!!!