Wife and I have been going back and forth about removing two very large
trees from our front yard.
Tree guys that have come out have called them swamp maples or silver
maples??? Not sure what the difference is.
A lawn guy that came out said these trees have shallow roots and take
nutrients away from the grass.
We have a small front lawn, about 80' x 30' with these two trees on each
end.
I would like to remove both trees and have the stumps ground down. Tree guy
said he would grind 6" or so below ground level and we could fill it over
with soil. I asked about the stump rotting and he said it wouldn't happen
for a hundred years ???
I'm guessing the underground stump will rot and cause a depression that will
have to be refilled over time???
Also He said he would leave allot of the wood in 4' length and I could cut
it down and use it in my wood/coal stove.
is "swamp maple" good to burn? He said it was a hard wood. It would be green
so I guess I'd have to wait until next year to burn it. We live in
Massachusetts...

$1800 to cut both trees, grind two stumps (plus two smaller stumps in back
yard) Haul away the big trunks and grind up the smaller branches. and leave
me wood cut and burn. Not sure what a cord of wood costs but it would help
defray the costs of the cutting!!!

I'm also going to ask if they can leave me a section of the large tree cut
about 3 feet long. My dad had a section of stump like that when I was a lad
and we used it as a work surface in the work shop to pound on...

I think the trees are overgrown. they are growing into the wires in the
street (power co wont trim them despite repeated calls)
every time we get a storm a dozen branches fall in the yard. I would
eventually plant 1 new tree and start over.

My wife is concerned about the loss of shade on the house.. I think having
the trees is more of a problem as our old roof (replaced 2 years ago) had
moss growing all over it because of the trees hanging over it.

It will certainly alter the look of the yard and may look odd at first but I
think they are to large for the lot and after a couple of years we would
never miss them???

I would be interested in any thoughts on this matter, Cut them down or save
the trees????


TIA

Sr

Wife and I have been going back and forth about removing two very large
trees from our front yard.
Tree guys that have come out have called them swamp maples or silver
maples??? Not sure what the difference is.

Never heard of a swamp maple. A silver maple is a fast growing trashy tree.
But a big one is still worthwhile, as long as it is not growing over your
house; the branchs break pretty easily.

A lawn guy that came out said these trees have shallow roots and take
nutrients away from the grass.
We have a small front lawn, about 80' x 30' with these two trees on each
end.
I would like to remove both trees and have the stumps ground down. Tree
guy
said he would grind 6" or so below ground level and we could fill it over
with soil. I asked about the stump rotting and he said it wouldn't happen
for a hundred years ???

More like 20 years.

I'm guessing the underground stump will rot and cause a depression that
will
have to be refilled over time???

Yeh, I found a few that the former owner did; it can be surprising when the
ground just caves in.

Also He said he would leave allot of the wood in 4' length and I could cut
it down and use it in my wood/coal stove.
is "swamp maple" good to burn? He said it was a hard wood. It would be
green
so I guess I'd have to wait until next year to burn it. We live in
Massachusetts...

Silver maple is mediocre fuel; probably better for a fireplace than a wood
stove; though for free I suppose it is fine. (see soft maple)
http://www.mb-soft.com/juca/print/firewood.html

$1800 to cut both trees, grind two stumps (plus two smaller stumps in back
yard) Haul away the big trunks and grind up the smaller branches. and
leave
me wood cut and burn. Not sure what a cord of wood costs but it would help
defray the costs of the cutting!!!

The price doesn't sound bad.

I'm also going to ask if they can leave me a section of the large tree cut
about 3 feet long. My dad had a section of stump like that when I was a
lad
and we used it as a work surface in the work shop to pound on...

I think the trees are overgrown. they are growing into the wires in the
street (power co wont trim them despite repeated calls)
every time we get a storm a dozen branches fall in the yard. I would
eventually plant 1 new tree and start over.

My wife is concerned about the loss of shade on the house.. I think having
the trees is more of a problem as our old roof (replaced 2 years ago) had
moss growing all over it because of the trees hanging over it.

It will certainly alter the look of the yard and may look odd at first but
I
think they are to large for the lot and after a couple of years we would
never miss them???

I would be interested in any thoughts on this matter, Cut them down or
save
the trees????

Personally I like big trees, but you live there.

"Steve" wrote in message

Tree guys that have come out have called them swamp maples or silver
maples??? Not sure what the difference is.

They are not sugar maples. Aside from that, I don't know.



I I asked about the stump rotting and he said it wouldn't happen
for a hundred years ???

Took a tree down about 18 years ago. Stump rotted and left a deep hole
already. It will not happen overnight, but far less than 100 years from my
experience.


I'm guessing the underground stump will rot and cause a depression that
will
have to be refilled over time???

Yes.


is "swamp maple" good to burn? He said it was a hard wood. It would be
green
so I guess I'd have to wait until next year to burn it. We live in
Massachusetts...

Cut and split it and it will be good for next year. Easier to split once
the weather freezes for a week or two.


$1800 to cut both trees, grind two stumps (plus two smaller stumps in back
yard) Haul away the big trunks and grind up the smaller branches. and
leave
me wood cut and burn. Not sure what a cord of wood costs but it would help
defray the costs of the cutting!!!

Local dealer here in MAi s getting $185 this year and expect to be $200 to
$200 mid winter if he has any left.


I'm also going to ask if they can leave me a section of the large tree cut
about 3 feet long. My dad had a section of stump like that when I was a
lad
and we used it as a work surface in the work shop to pound on...

Good to use one for splitting hte rest of hte wood also. I use a maul. If
the top of the log to be split is about waist high, I get the best power
when the maul hits it.


I think the trees are overgrown. they are growing into the wires in the
street (power co wont trim them despite repeated calls)

I've had good luck with out local CL&P with that when trees hit their lines.
Won't touch what h its mine.


My wife is concerned about the loss of shade on the house.. I think having
the trees is more of a problem as our old roof (replaced 2 years ago) had
moss growing all over it because of the trees hanging over it.

Shade of a good tree is equal to about a 12,00 Btu Ac. You will see a
difference.


It will certainly alter the look of the yard and may look odd at first but
I
think they are to large for the lot and after a couple of years we would
never miss them???

Or plant new trees of a better size and location. Takes 10+ years to get
the benefits of the shade though.

Around here a "swamp maple" is also called a Manitoba Maple or Alder Maple
which is easy to tell as its seeds are small, in pairs and stay on the tree
all summer, through winter and drop in the very early spring, the leaves are
not as large as a Silver Maple but have an oversized center lobe and the two
side lobes are very small to non-existent. Silver Maples have a standard
Maple shape with a silvery underside and the seeds are produced in singles
and drop in the same year produced in the late spring. I have both on my
property and the difference is easy to identify.

Regarding burning, no they are not a high density wood as Oak or Sugar Maple
and many other trees, but as free wood, they will burn and produce heat,
just you will need to burn more wood than the better trees once it is dried.
Keep the woodpile covered or you may experience some rot if it sits for a
few years, and keep it off the ground. I have burned cuttings and downed
trees in my wood stove for years, so don't waste the wood if you have an
opportunity to use it and reduce the use of other expensive fuels.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
Wife and I have been going back and forth about removing two very large
trees from our front yard.
Tree guys that have come out have called them swamp maples or silver
maples??? Not sure what the difference is.
A lawn guy that came out said these trees have shallow roots and take
nutrients away from the grass.
We have a small front lawn, about 80' x 30' with these two trees on each
end.
I would like to remove both trees and have the stumps ground down. Tree
guy
said he would grind 6" or so below ground level and we could fill it over
with soil. I asked about the stump rotting and he said it wouldn't happen
for a hundred years ???
I'm guessing the underground stump will rot and cause a depression that
will
have to be refilled over time???
Also He said he would leave allot of the wood in 4' length and I could cut
it down and use it in my wood/coal stove.
is "swamp maple" good to burn? He said it was a hard wood. It would be
green
so I guess I'd have to wait until next year to burn it. We live in
Massachusetts...

$1800 to cut both trees, grind two stumps (plus two smaller stumps in back
yard) Haul away the big trunks and grind up the smaller branches. and
leave
me wood cut and burn. Not sure what a cord of wood costs but it would help
defray the costs of the cutting!!!

I'm also going to ask if they can leave me a section of the large tree cut
about 3 feet long. My dad had a section of stump like that when I was a
lad
and we used it as a work surface in the work shop to pound on...

I think the trees are overgrown. they are growing into the wires in the
street (power co wont trim them despite repeated calls)
every time we get a storm a dozen branches fall in the yard. I would
eventually plant 1 new tree and start over.

My wife is concerned about the loss of shade on the house.. I think having
the trees is more of a problem as our old roof (replaced 2 years ago) had
moss growing all over it because of the trees hanging over it.

It will certainly alter the look of the yard and may look odd at first but
I
think they are to large for the lot and after a couple of years we would
never miss them???

I would be interested in any thoughts on this matter, Cut them down or
save
the trees????


TIA

Sr

Typically in NE US, "swamp maple" is one of the two regional species of
maple that don't mind getting their feet wet: silver maple & red maple.
Both are about 20% lower density than sugar maple, with corresponding
energy density.

Once seasoned & dried, silver maple burns readily, though more quickly
than denser hardwoods. So, you feed smaller pieces more frequently.

Myself, I'd cut & split the whole thing- it is pretty easy to split-
nothing like sugar maple, for one.

HTH,
J

Steve wrote:
Wife and I have been going back and forth about removing two very large
trees from our front yard.
Tree guys that have come out have called them swamp maples or silver
maples??? Not sure what the difference is.
A lawn guy that came out said these trees have shallow roots and take
nutrients away from the grass.
We have a small front lawn, about 80' x 30' with these two trees on each
end.
I would like to remove both trees and have the stumps ground down. Tree guy
said he would grind 6" or so below ground level and we could fill it over
with soil. I asked about the stump rotting and he said it wouldn't happen
for a hundred years ???
I'm guessing the underground stump will rot and cause a depression that will
have to be refilled over time???
Also He said he would leave allot of the wood in 4' length and I could cut
it down and use it in my wood/coal stove.
is "swamp maple" good to burn? He said it was a hard wood. It would be green
so I guess I'd have to wait until next year to burn it. We live in
Massachusetts...

$1800 to cut both trees, grind two stumps (plus two smaller stumps in back
yard) Haul away the big trunks and grind up the smaller branches. and leave
me wood cut and burn. Not sure what a cord of wood costs but it would help
defray the costs of the cutting!!!

I'm also going to ask if they can leave me a section of the large tree cut
about 3 feet long. My dad had a section of stump like that when I was a lad
and we used it as a work surface in the work shop to pound on...

I think the trees are overgrown. they are growing into the wires in the
street (power co wont trim them despite repeated calls)
every time we get a storm a dozen branches fall in the yard. I would
eventually plant 1 new tree and start over.

My wife is concerned about the loss of shade on the house.. I think having
the trees is more of a problem as our old roof (replaced 2 years ago) had
moss growing all over it because of the trees hanging over it.

It will certainly alter the look of the yard and may look odd at first but I
think they are to large for the lot and after a couple of years we would
never miss them???

I would be interested in any thoughts on this matter, Cut them down or save
the trees????


TIA

Sr

Yeah, way down south here in CT "swamp maple" seems to mean red maple,
which is kind of a trash tree which pops up lots of places where sugar
maple won't grow, and isn't nearly as pretty in the fall. Big trees
near the house can be a major nuisance for leaves, roots into the
sewers, sidewalks heaved up, etc., not to mention potentially crushing
your house. The electric company will come and chop off the branches
that are near the wires for free, but I doubt they would remove the
whole tree(s).

The stump will indeed rot out in some few years and collapse, also the
roots. I am looking at a big hole in my driveway right now, at the end
of a crack running back to the lawn where the previous owner removed a
large tree. Two more collapsed spots on the lawn on the other side of
the former tree. Also, a while after the tree was removed, I guess the
roots figured it out and starting frantically pushing new shoots up all
over the lawn for quite a while. Somebody told me you're supposed to
use some chemical or other to kill the roots after you cut the tree
down so that doesn't happen. ??

On Fri, 23 Sep 2005 10:38:12 -0400, "Steve" wrote:

Wife and I have been going back and forth about removing two very large
trees from our front yard.
Tree guys that have come out have called them swamp maples or silver
maples??? Not sure what the difference is.


it down and use it in my wood/coal stove.
is "swamp maple" good to burn? He said it was a hard wood. It would be green

Well, it will burn, but it's only a hardwood in the taxonomic sense.
It's actually a light, weak, fast-rotting pioneer species that likes
wet ground.

I'm also going to ask if they can leave me a section of the large tree cut
about 3 feet long. My dad had a section of stump like that when I was a lad
and we used it as a work surface in the work shop to pound on...

It's not going to last long in that application. How big around are
the trunks?

I think the trees are overgrown. they are growing into the wires in the
street (power co wont trim them despite repeated calls)
every time we get a storm a dozen branches fall in the yard. I would
eventually plant 1 new tree and start over.

I'd get an arborist to trim them, plant an oak or two now, and
take the maples out after the oak grows enough to stop looking like
a shrub, or when the maples start to get sickly, whichever comes
first.


My wife is concerned about the loss of shade on the house.. I think having
the trees is more of a problem as our old roof (replaced 2 years ago) had
moss growing all over it because of the trees hanging over it.

It will certainly alter the look of the yard and may look odd at first but I
think they are to large for the lot and after a couple of years we would
never miss them???

I would be interested in any thoughts on this matter, Cut them down or save
the trees????


TIA

Sr

It's not going to last long in that application. How big around are
the trunks?


Yeh, sounds like its not a "hard" hard wood...

The trunk is about 2.5' - 3' ??? in diameter (I'm at work)

clipped


It will certainly alter the look of the yard and may look odd at first but
I
think they are to large for the lot and after a couple of years we would
never miss them???


Or plant new trees of a better size and location. Takes 10+ years to get
the benefits of the shade though.

Hardwood may take a lot longer. It may be worthwhile to have an arborist
take a look, esp. if a healthy tree. Regular care can open up the top
so's
the roof doesn rot and it doesn't drop branches all over the place. If
it is half dead, it's another story. I like big trees )

It's not going to last long in that application. How big around are
the trunks?


Yeh, sounds like its not a "hard" hard wood...

The trunk is about 2.5' - 3' ??? in diameter (I'm at work)



When you take it down, chainsaw it into oval slabs, soak them
in epoxy, and sell them on ebay as tabletops.