Sorry for the delay. Didn't hear anything for a few weeks and the thread dropped off my radar.
In no particular order. Talk about a detailed answer. Thanks. Would like to get these turned around.
Planted a couple of Red Oaks in Lost Creek back in the day and all I ever did to them was cut off lower branches - and they grew like crazy. Looked pretty good IIRC. I want to say in ten years they grew to maybe 30' high. Suspect having good soil helps. Might be a bit of the problem here 70mi west.
That stump just broke off in my hand. Def will angle cut it. Thought I'd get it all done at one at once.
Did the base of one last weekend. Probably could have been a little larger. At least exposed a little root flare. Used some kind of porous black paper screen covered with Cedar Mulch to fill. Pulled out a bunch of grass. poisoned the rest. Hope the Round Up wasn't a mistake.
Definitely will make a larger "bed" around Tree number two (multi-branch). Clean up instructions pretty straightforward.
And, just to be clear, the concensus now is trim the small one now, don't wait, mainly due to all the cross growth? Should I wait on the taller tree?
FWIW, I did not know that the grass roots were bad for the tree roots. So they don't die if they can't get any sunlight?
Thanks for all the advice! Go Horns!