cat beat me to the punch. What you've got there is a big hump with a big stump. In its present state, I don't see a satisfying incorporation of the two elements with additional plantings to create something architecturally anchoring. If you like the stump and want it to stay in its present state, well, I'm stumped. There's rot in the core which could easily be whacked away with a hatchet in order to snug in a pot or to fill with soil for a plant or two. Be tempted to go with a vine that'll drape rather than anything that adds additional height. And over time, it will just rot away more from the inside out - woody layers will go first eventually leaving you with a raggedy bark shell. But contemplating alternatives... do you know anyone with a chain saw who could take the stump down further? Have you called around to see about stump grinding fees for a 15", 20", or whatever stump? (It wouldn't be anywhere close to hundreds of dollars here, especially if they left the chips for you to use elsewhere on the property.) I've had lots of trees cut down - obviously location dictated grinding or not. Most were in mixed tree and shrub or fern bed locations so were just cut as close to the ground as possible.

aaah, ok. I thought so esther, lol! Hmmm...I probably won't use that nitrogen source because the stump is right off the patio and close to the house so the smell may be a bit too close to home, literally. Great idea though, one which I am sure most people wouldn't think of. iowa...this tree is only in the ground about 3 years max. I didn't put it in, the previous owner did and she put it INSIDE the screen patio enclosure. It's a majesty palm which can reach 80 feet so it had to go. The top of it was already touching the top of the screen. I tried to dig the whole thing up thinking exactly what you said, that the whole root ball would be quite shallow. But this thing is in there like cement. Your Dad's ordeal with the pickup truck sounds like a blast. My father had a big tree fall on his car from hurricane Frances and it was quite the scene with 2 people sawing up the tree, one of those people was completely drunk. She had been drunk right through the whole hurricane and still was drunk the morning after. She was barking orders to everyone as to which branch to cut next. Then she grabbed a really large branch and started tugging at it with her bare hands. She had her heels dug into the ground and was tugging at this tree like a pit bull grabs and hangs on, lol! It was hilarious and I got the whole thing on videotape.

Hi, Thanks for the post. I looked thru some of your photos and wanted to thank you for the information. Nice to know that I might be on track... I took out a diseased pear tree, not that big off a trunk. Took the stump down level with the soil. Then put a compost bin on top of it. Moist compost bin, I keep lid upside down to catch water and in Oregon Willammette valley there is lots of rain. So, seems like I am on the right track to get rid of the stump. Was a little worried about Nitrogen robbing during decomposition of roots, but I have not seem anything... but what do I know :) There is another Pear tree that I am planning on cutting down and just wanted to see what you think of my method. By the way, same compost bin. Earth Machine. Thanks, MIke

hip hip hooray .. the only good maple.. is dead maple ... especially a silver maple .. sorry.. no silent moment from me ... lol how about a giant Grecian urn on top ... supreme .. quite a statement .. [though maybe not the one you want to make] so you are thinking to remove what looks like myrtle??? i will bet a buck..there is little or no soil within a few feet of the stump .... and you will have a hard time digging in there.. and planting other things.. also.. rotting wood requires moisture.. and even though the maple is dead [they did apply stump killer i hope] .... in planting new plants.. you will have to insure that you can apply enough water for both the rotting maple .. and the new plants ... you might get further.. if you could add 3 courses of retaining wall on the drive and sidewalk.. to add some new soil.. for the new plants ... i do the stump thing all the time, though i do it flush to the ground .. but i have about 4.9 more acres than your front yard ... the whole process of the breakdown.. the 'shrooms.. etc.. can be very fascinating to watch over the years ... now get that grecian urn ... i would say.. a four footer.. heck.. how about a 6 footer ... lol .. check out the link ... as an aside .. i will bet a buck .. it was planted level with the lawn .. way back when .. how do trees basically grow themselves right out of mother earth .. especially maples ... now that is what i want an answer to ... ken ps: if they did not kill it.. ask them to come back.. cut off another inch.. insure its flat.. and treat the stump with some type of stump killer... or else you will have a good 3 dozen sprouts next spring ... and they will be 6 feet tall by fall ... because of that giant root mass ... Here is a link that might be useful: link