The Grass Doctor

How do I get rid of mold around a tree stump?

Cut down a tree about 5 years ago and the remaining stump is just a few inches above the ground. The grass was getting very high and I mowed it today, when I did, I found some kind of mold had formed around the stump and also on a tree root that is above the soil line several feet away, from the same old tree that had been cut down. I'm using the Scotts fertilizer system where they sell four different types of fertilizer that should be applied at different times of the year. Can anyone tell me how I got this mold and what it means to the rest of the lawn? Also, how do I get rid of it?

Public Comments

1. It's harmless mushroom mycelia (roots) breaking the stump into compost and a few mushrooms along the way. It's a good thing, you can leave it alone. RScott
2. Whatever "mold" you may see is just part of the natural decomposition of the stump and we wouldn't worry about it. Even if you would have had the stump ground up, you still might experience some type of growth from the various organisms that feed on decomposing wood. It has nothing to do with your fertilizer regimen. You could try burying the stump with a couple of inches of topsoil, thats what we did when we cut down some trees, and create an island for planting other things. Visit our website for more gardening ideas at- http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.com/ Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!