removing trees - 24" dbh

[IMAGE]

What is the best way to remove full grown tree stumps/roots? I would like to remove some large trees in the yard at my parents house and replace them with pines. This is in the yard area. Is a backhoe the best/only way to get the roots out, or can we just grind the stump and use a large spade to put pines in thier place? The ground is some shitty clay... It would be nice to put some good soil in before the new trees.

If we must have a hoe remove the roots, could I rent a mini for a day ($200) and do 8 Elms in one day(8 machine hours), or would I be better off getting a full size with operator to come in?


Thanks!

[AGLA]

I don't think you'll have a lot of success with a mini-ex on 24" dbh elms.

[Smallaxe]

That is true. I watched a company send out a medium sized backhoe trying to rip out pine roots of trees about you size.
That thing was hopping up and down like a grasshopper tugging at those roots.

Grinder is the best way to go IMO. Haul the grindings away along with the clay if you wish and replace with better topsoil, but actually your pine trees really don't care. Most importantly they need mulch.

[FYS777]

remember to LOCATE before you dig,