Tree stump in foundation

[Katie Carini]

Hi 

We are building a new home. Trees were taken down 4 years ago. After pouring the foundation, while digging out the center, they came across two tree stumps they did not hit while pouring the foundation. What is the best way to deal with this so we do not run the risk of termites in the future? The walls are two high to get a piece of equipment over to try to dig it out plus they don’t want to take a chance of damaging the integrity of the walls.

Thank you,

Katie 

[Marc]

The issue isn't the termites, it's that the stumps will eventually decay.  When they do, something, somewhere beneath the home will lose the support they once provided.

Get the stumps out...by hand if necessary.  I've done it before.

Edited February 21, 2020 by Marc

[Les]

The stumps have to go.  Well, you could leave them in and let someone else deal with them later.  They will rot and it will settle.  I don't think I would be worried about termites.  You can eradicate them. 

[Jim Katen]

Why not just hire a stump grinder to grind out the bulk of the stumps? Then you can clean up whatever remains with a little baby excavator. 

[Jim Katen]

10 hours ago, Katie Carini said:

After pouring the foundation, while digging out the center, they came across two tree stumps they did not hit while pouring the foundation.

Also, there's something seriously wrong with this statement. Why are they digging out the center after having placed the perimeter? 

[Jim Baird]

...what a funny picture.  No wall visible, no foundation.  Truck way to small to o pull that tooth.  Not many contractors would be willing to dig and pour with stumps that big inside.

[Marc]

The stump, the second one that I pulled out, was a test of my resolve.  I felt I had to show myself I could do it. Took me months. Shovel and ax. Once it was out, it left a circular hole 9 feet in diameter and 28 inches deep.  A fire pit still sits where the tree once was.  Took me years to burn all the firewood that came from that tree....alright now...I'm done bragging.

Edited February 24, 2020 by Marc

[Jim Baird]

16 hours ago, Marc said:

The stump, the second one that I pulled out, was a test of my resolve.  I felt I had to show myself I could do it. Took me months. Shovel and ax. Once it was out, it left a circular hole 9 feet in diameter and 28 inches deep.  A fire pit still sits where the tree once was.  Took me years to burn all the firewood that came from that tree....alright now...I'm done bragging.

 

Been there with Marc.  Mine was a cherry (Prunus nigra) stump that looked like a foxhole by the time I got done.  Shovel, mattock, ax, and a wheelbarrow load of resolve.