TREE STUMP

[DaveST]

Got a tree stump that is starting to rot away in the centre and I thought it might be nice to make a feature of it by planting something in the hole but I'm not sure what will grow in there. My first thought was Carex, a nice ornamental grass, but I'm still uncertain. Anyone got any ideas as to what might grow in this tree stump hole? Also, can I* expect it to be acidic or alcaline in there?

[Newt]

I'm thinking you are going to need to add some soil.* You could plant anything that will stand the sun conditions, but something with shallow roots will probably be good.* Carex sounds good to me.* How about one of the low growing sedums?* They will cascade over the stump.

As to the pH, if it was an oak or conifer, expect the pH to be on the acid side.* It really shouldn't matter as most plants prefer a pH from neutral to slightly acid.

Newt

[jdeb]

Hi
Seeing where you are in the UK, you should be very careful about leaving a stump in the ground at all.* It is a natural home for Honey Fungus (Armillaria).* If you get that in your garden it is capable of killign every tree and woody shrub you have, and there is not cure available domestically.

Grind it out, burn it our, or deliberatley infect it with a friend fungus (any of the wild mushrooms that grow on wood will do (as they defend their territory) and have a resource you can harvest for quite a few years.

Best
jdeb

[Newt]

With no disrespect to Jdeb, I don't think there is cause for panic.* From this UK site.
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...ney_fungus.asp

There are several species of honey fungus, or Armillaria, present in the UK, but only two of these (A. mellea and A. ostoyae) will infect and kill healthy plants. The fungus spreads from infected plants by direct contact with the roots of neighbouring plants and also through the soil by means of the bootlace structures (right), which can attack neighbouring healthy plants. A third species, A. gallica, is generally saprophytic, although it can be pathogenic in certain circumstances. It is most noticeable and often most alarming to gardeners, as it produces numerous, long, thickened rhizomorphs, often in and around compost heaps. Here it is breaking down the plant matter, releasing nutrients back into the soil. However, it is known to attack and kill plants which are under stress from other sources (e.g. drought). Overall, plants under stress due to poor growing conditions tend to be more vulnerable, but certain genera are more susceptible than others and these are listed below.

This site has more extensive info.
http://fungus.org.uk/nwfg/armnov01.htm

Newt