Stumped Over How to Remove a 20-Foot Tree
Question: My sons and I cut down a 20-foot pine tree in our back yard this summer, and we’d like to get rid of the stump. Is there an easy way to do this without calling in a removal service?
K.B.,
Tustin
Answer: “If you’re not in a hurry, you could just let it decay,” says stump remover Martin Howell of Anaheim. “Try tying a plastic bag over it so it’s airtight. This will help create humidity and allow bacteria to break it down a little faster. It’s hard to say how long it will take before you can crumble it up, but pine is pretty soft so it shouldn’t take long. Covering it will speed up its decay.”
Q: I have an antique pine medicine chest that’s about 100 years old that has flowers painted on its doors and sides. I’d like to apply some kind of clear finish on it to protect it, but I’m not sure what kind.
T.B.
Santa Ana
A: “What you should do is try to verify how old the piece is, the kind of paint used for the flowers and what kind of finish is on it already,” says Sam DeCocino, an antique restoration specialist in Garden Grove. “A good antique dealer should be able to tell you.
“It was common to use varnish years ago as a finish, so you should probably re-varnish it. Try applying a small bit of varnish on an inconspicuous part of the paint to see if the paint softens. If it doesn’t, you can go ahead; if it does, you have to try it again with polyurethane, lacquer or shellac.”
Q: I was given a beautiful old mirror from an uncle, but there are all kinds of stickers attached to it that I can’t get off. I’ve tried soaking them in water, but they seem to be on there permanently. Is there anything else I could do?
P.S.,
La Habra
A: “Try soaking them with rubbing alcohol,” says Brian Enoka of Crystal Glass & Mirror in Santa Ana. “Alcohol may work as a solvent on the gum from the stickers. Then take a new razor blade and scrape them off. Keep checking the blade as you do it and replace it if you find nicks, so you don’t scratch the mirror.”
Q: I’ve just added two speakers to make my stereo system quadraphonic. I’ve seen some people suspend their speakers from the wall or the ceiling. Does that give it a better sound?
C.C.,
Fullerton
A: “This really depends on the acoustics of the room where the speakers are, the walls, ceiling, placement of furniture, and the kind of sound you’re looking for,” says “Stereo Steve” of Electro-Tech Stereo Service in Costa Mesa. “If you want to focus on the high range, such as with classical music, then you’ll probably want the speaker elevated. For good lows, if you play a lot of rock music, you’ll want it on the floor.”
Q: The chopping block we use in the kitchen has become stained, pitted and smelly. Is there a way to refinish and seal it to protect it?
H.M.,
Huntington Beach
A: “Chopping blocks really have to be treated differently from any other kind of wood in your house,” says cabinetmaker Cal Briggs of La Habra. “They’re not to be painted, stained or finished since food is going to be placed on them. Try sanding it with fine paper until smooth, then rub a thin coat of olive oil into the wood. Dry the excess with a paper towel, then rub in and dry a few more coats and let it sit for a couple of days before using it. If you’ve just cut onion or garlic on it, clean it with lemon juice to remove the odor and wipe it dry.”
