There is a tree (a neighbor says it's poplar, I have no idea) at the edge of the back yard that is becoming somewhat of a pain. The tree's roots have become exposed and are a hazard to the lawn mower blades and are already a trip hazard, and they're on a hill to boot. The tree was a "volunteer" when we first moved in and I regret not cutting it down then then. Oh well.
I don't care about harming the tree as it's days are numbered anyway. The trunk is partially rotted and will soon become a fall hazard to me while mowing. I'll probably hire out the removal of the tree because at 73, back, knee, and shoulder issues dictate that I show some sense and hire that out. Plus DW gets all anxious when I do stuff like that. Maybe I'll hire out the root removal too but the advice here is free and usually knowledgeable and experienced so I'll ask.
I've done a few cuts on the worst root with a reciprocating saw and it cuts through okay, but I guess there are roots underneath holding it to the ground. Complicating things is the rocky nature of the ground around here, with lots of shale rock. I've tried angling the blade of the reciprocating saw underneath the root but that didn't work - either the angle isn't enough or I hit rocks, which of course is hard on the blades.
I saw a youtube video in which a guy had success with an angle grinder and a concrete grinding wheel but I guess that was a different kind of wood because that didn't work here. It sort of ground away at the root but I could see it would take very long time at the rate it was going and it was clogging the grinding wheel. Clearly it was the wrong tool for that job.
So - any ideas of an easy way to get rid of surface tree roots, preferably involving the use of pixie dust or some such quick and easy method?
I don't care about harming the tree as it's days are numbered anyway. The trunk is partially rotted and will soon become a fall hazard to me while mowing. I'll probably hire out the removal of the tree because at 73, back, knee, and shoulder issues dictate that I show some sense and hire that out. Plus DW gets all anxious when I do stuff like that. Maybe I'll hire out the root removal too but the advice here is free and usually knowledgeable and experienced so I'll ask.
I've done a few cuts on the worst root with a reciprocating saw and it cuts through okay, but I guess there are roots underneath holding it to the ground. Complicating things is the rocky nature of the ground around here, with lots of shale rock. I've tried angling the blade of the reciprocating saw underneath the root but that didn't work - either the angle isn't enough or I hit rocks, which of course is hard on the blades.
I saw a youtube video in which a guy had success with an angle grinder and a concrete grinding wheel but I guess that was a different kind of wood because that didn't work here. It sort of ground away at the root but I could see it would take very long time at the rate it was going and it was clogging the grinding wheel. Clearly it was the wrong tool for that job.
So - any ideas of an easy way to get rid of surface tree roots, preferably involving the use of pixie dust or some such quick and easy method?