Tree Stumps Left to Re-Grow

[Envoy]

I see that where large trees are felled near tracks, that they are not injected with poison to kill them off. I notice that new grow is growing from the stumps that have been left behind following felling. Surely this is just making work for the future along with the problem of leaves causing traction issues? I can understand why the tree roots are not ripped from the ground as this would cause erosion issues.

I also see that felled timber is left the side of rail tracks. Surely, such timber could be lifted onto flat wagons and taken away and sold - even if just for firewood? See attached photo:>

 

[skyhigh]

I also see that felled timber is left the side of rail tracks. Surely, such timber could be lifted onto flat wagons and taken away and sold - even if just for firewood? See attached photo:>

The majority is removed/chipped. What's mainly left behind is deliberately left for ecological reasons i.e. to provide habitats.

 

[zwk500]

I see that where large trees are felled near tracks, that they are not injected with poison to kill them off. I notice that new grow is growing from the stumps that have been left behind following felling. Surely this is just making work for the future along with the problem of leaves causing traction issues? I can understand why the tree roots are not ripped from the ground as this would cause erosion issues.

Injecting the tree with poison would have significant ecological risks. Given that *something* will grow back, letting the tree send up shoots again and coming back in a year to hack it all back down again is a lesser evil.

I also see that felled timber is left the side of rail tracks. Surely, such timber could be lifted onto flat wagons and taken away and sold - even if just for firewood? See attached photo:>

The cost of recovering and selling the wood would far outweigh any revenue from a timber merchant. NR leaves the wood stacked up for invertebrates and other woodland creatures to use.

 

[LUYMun]

Removing the tree stump would also cause issues with land and soil stability, resulting in erosion.

 

[duffield]

Apart from the other negatives of poisoning them, in the cases where the tree roots are holding an embankment together, maybe you really need them to not just remain in place, but actually stay alive in order to remain effective?

 

[tumbledown]

The usual treatment to prevent regrowth of stumps is injection of fungal spores under the bark, which doesn't endanger intact trees or other species.

 

[Pacef8]

After a talk with the woodland trust and a senior rail-track employee blue nails that they hammer into the stumps are now banned . I mention this as i saw them being used on the last cutback on a embankment in port sunlight .