[Lawn Lad]

We have a customer who's requested the removal of a pine tree in a large (7' or 8' diameter) concrete planter that is located in the center of a driveway area. Cutting the tree down is the easy part. Getting the stump out is going to be the problem. The planter is elevated, about 36" to 42" so stump grinding is out and there is an electrial outlet in the planter.

My thought was that I could hand dig the stump out, but it's not going to be easy. We could sacrifice some older chain saw chains to help in the process/make it go quicker.

I'm concerned about using an excavtor since I don't want to apply any lateral forces to the planter for fear of breaking the concrete planter.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to remove this stump? It's not small and I fear a root bound planter that is going to be one big intertwined root mass.

Last but not least we get to plant something else in its place. The customer would like an ornamental tree. The area gets full sun throughout the day, particularly mid summer. Spring/Fall the sun angle is lower, and there is a tree line to the south that provides partial shade, but nothing significant.

Again, the planter is in the middle of a asphalt drive and exposed to all of the elements and conditions of being planted in a pot!

[cutntrim]

Unusual request. Have fun with that one.

Initially, I'd say just buy a new planter or better yet ditch the planter idea and install a raised garden bed for them if they like. I'd have to imagine it'll be root-bound.

I dunno, use your skidsteer to hold down the planter while you lift up on the stump (after cutting the roots around the perimeter) with a mini-x? Have you got two skidsteers? One to hold down the planter on either side? Seems a lot of work anyway you do it, they must be real attached to that concrete planter.

Or just wait until one of your employees ticks you off, and then banish him to hand digging it out for an entire day...

...guess that wouldn't be nice...

[fitzg2md]

First thought was running the grinder on a trailer, giving it extra height. But thinking about it, that still would be out of the question. Would building some kind of ramp and box that a grinder could rest and operate on next to the planter be out of the question...or even economical? just a thought... (insurance agent may not like this advice...something else to consider). Personally, I would have to pass on it. -MF

[Lawn Lad]

Unfortunately passing on the job is kind of out of the question. My supervisor asked me about simply replacing the planter - as perhaps being more economical. There is another one on the site that it would have to match (it also has a smaller pine tree in it). The homeowner who'd footing the bill for this removal isn't likely to pay for the other as well. So if we did break this one (either by accident or on purpose) we'd have to replace it with a like one to match the other one.

Because there is electric service in the planter I'm concerned about grinding. We may wind up cutting out the conduit anyways if it's intertwined with the roots and it's less effort to cut the electric.

We do have two skids and a mini ex we could use, but with the lifting capacity of the mini ex (Deere x35) wouldn't be sufficient to lift a root mass out of this planter. Since I'd be lifting with the boom elevated to about 4' to 5', most of the lifting power comes closer to the ground and close into the machine - with boom extended this lifting capacity is dimminshed. I could show up with all this equipment and have it be ineffective.

I'll try to take a picture of it and share it with you guys... maybe that will help.

[Paul]

Try a frost tooth on the mini-x it should allow you to break the roots (go slowly) without tearing up the concrete. If you work at it like you have 4' of frost you should be able to reduce the root mass. Last step is a crane or a large wrecker to remove the root ball.

[Lawn Lad]

What is a frost tooth? And is something that has to be installed on the machine, like a grapple? I'm thinking this is a single hook/picker thing that might be used for pulling up concrete or the such, sometimes you see them on backhoes.

[Greensmith]

How old is the planter? Maybe you can hunt it down? I guess getting an impression and making a new one is a bit much.

[dan deutekom]

Rent a heavy duty gantry frame and heavy chain fall. Hook up to the stump and pull up on it as hard as you can. Then start cutting roots using the old chain saw chains, axes, hand saws and shovels and pry bars. Every time something breaks loose a little bit tighten up the chain fall. You would be surprised how fast and easy 2 guys and a bit of sweat will get that baby out. A couple of hours at the most.
I have done this for large interior trees and old roof gardens
http://www2.northerntool.com/product-1/200276024.htm

[Lawn Lad]

Here is a view of the planter...

[Lawn Lad]

The planter is 2.0' high, about 8.0' wide. The width of walls are 6.0" or so. They look like they were formed with 6" wide panels in the circle. I thought maybe it was poured in place, but my thinking is that it might have been formed elsewhere and dropped in place.

[HardDaysKnight]

That asphalt is not pristine whatsoever. I would try
some of the methods mentioned and include a waiver,
Not responsible for damage to pavement. You really could
hand dig the planter and work like surgeons and
get that stump out. An ornamental tree might not have to be too deeply planted. Could you suggest replacing both planters.
That one doesn't look like a valuable antique to me.jmo

[Paul]

All most looks like a 8' manhole extention. Prices here are about $375 per foot, weight 3200 lbs per foot. If you want a bottom on it add $1500.

[start2finish]

you may consider removing the whole planter and pricing a replacement. Maybe a locking retaining wall, or timber planter. Even a new concrete one. Would make life simpler IMO

[Lawn Lad]

One idea that I was tossing around with a tree guy I work with locally is to use an air spade to "chisel" the soil out without chopping at the roots or electrical, then I can see exactly what I'm working with inside the planter. I have to look into price to have somone out with the airspade. I think the tool is about $1100 to purchase... not worth it for this job alone.

I'll look into the manhole extension possibility. There is concrete below the visible asphalt as the planter measures 24" to 28" above grade.

The HOA is gathering quotes to repave the driveway, I'm not sure if they're resurfacing or removing and replacing.

I like the idea of the gentry and chain fall, quite controllable, and not very complicated. Using hydraulics on this scares me a little since you don't "feel" the pressure you're applying and I risk breaking the planter.

I have to find a replacement planter to price out the option of just removing/replacing versus trying to remove without breaking it. If I do break it I'll know the replacement cost, or the customer will know the cost. I'll present them with both options and let them choose which course they want us to take. Likely the known more expensive cost by replacing the planter from the get go, or the possibility of less expensive removal, but with the risk of breaking and then having to replace the planter anyways. Hmmm.... quite the dilemma.

[HardDaysKnight]

Originally posted by Lawn Lad
Unfortunately passing on the job is kind of out of the question. My supervisor asked me about simply replacing the planter - as perhaps being more economical.

This is where the problem lies. Not with you Lawnlad but
your super. Maybe we should take a different approach.
I would suggest to your super that an economical approach
will be time consuming with risks of damage to the
planters and will not be profitable enough for the service.
If this estimate came my way, I would have said to the
potential client that he needs to get an electrician in to
cut off the service to the planter. The planter cannot be
salvaged and is clearly outdated. A skid steer needs to
come in and remove the planter and stump. Any damage
to the drive or wiring inside the planter is not warranted.
Suggest a new planter from many new products available
and pick out a tree....and the price is ...?