u/cmotitty

Hi all, not sure if this is the right place to post, but I’ve got this old crabapple tree that was cut down just over a year ago. In the year since saplings have been sprouting up like crazy, up to maybe 30 feet away in any direction. They’re taking over my yard and no matter how much sawing through roots and mowing down sprouts I do, they keep on coming back. How do I end this thing once and for all without having to a) remove the entire trunk from the earth or b) use acid or bleach or anything else that could leech into the dirt and effect groundwater or nearby plants?

Additional note: the wood is incredibly hard. I’ve attempted to drill into in to pour salt into to try to dry the thing out, but I can barely get deeper than an inch or so. Debating ordering a hammer drill to assist, but figured I should consult those a little more professional than me first.

Any and all ideas or advice are appreciated. Thanks!!

Edit: in the second picture all dark spots throughout the yard (that lowkey look like doggy-mines) are saplings from this trunk