How do I stop new sprouts from growing on a tree I recently topped?

Question

I recently had a willow tree cut down but we left the stump at about 6 ft. in height. New sprouts are growing everywhere, even out of the bark on the side of the trunk. How do I stop these from growing? I heard you could paint it with something but don't know what that is?

Answer 1

willow is very soft wood.  you are going to have to get that whole 6 ft & roots out.  The roots are still alive and they can cause you problems with foundations and water pipes.  They also have lots of bugs that are drawn to their root systems.  do you have a friend or neighbor with a big tractor.  You have to dig down around the base of the tree..........as far down as possible..........and they can notch the tree put a heavy chain in the notch and wrap it around the tree twice and pull it out of the ground.