Have you recently cut a tree in your garden and are now left with a stump to deal with? If so, you’re in luck, as in this post, you’ll learn all the effective ways of removing a tree stump. These include using your hands, digging, burning, grinding, applying a chemical stump remover and more.
At the end of the day, you’ll be able to choose the method that suits you best and is the most appropriate to apply, in terms of the root system you’re dealing with. There are techniques that will allow you to get rid of a stump in just 2-3 days and others that may require more time. It’s your call which one will be the most appropriate for your situation.
Table of Contents
Removing a tree stump by hand
If you’re only dealing with a single tree stump that needs removing, the best way to go about it is manual eradication. This method is extremely affordable and doesn’t require you to own a stump grinder or a digger.
Just bear in mind that it’s not the most appropriate method for stumps with large and deep roots.
What you’ll need:
- Loppers
- Shovel
- Grub hoe
- Loam or sawdust
Step 1. Dig around the stump’s roots
Use your shovel to dig around the stump until its roots are exposed. Repeat this process until all of the stump’s largest roots are completely visible.
Step 2. Sever the roots from the stump
Pick up your loppers and cut the stump’s roots into manageable pieces. Pull as many of these as you can out of the ground. The clearer the worksite, the easier it will be to remove the stump.
Step 3. Clear out the roots
If there are still some roots left behind, use a grub hoe to remove them out of the ground down to their very tips.
Step 4. Remove the stump
Once all of the major roots have been chopped and cleared out, it’s time to dislodge the stump from the ground. Dig a small hole underneath the stump and then place your shovel underneath it to remove it.
Step 5. Fill up the hole
Since removing a stump will leave a hole behind, you will need to fill it up with either soil or sawdust. If you skip this step, there’s a high chance that the ground around the hole will collapse and you’ll be left with a huge ugly dent in the middle of your garden. Just make sure to top up the hole in the following weeks until the surface evens out.
Getting rid of a stump with a stump grinder
The fastest and most effective way to remove a stump is by using a stump grinder. These machines can be either bought or rented from a local machine rental house. Although the different kinds of stump grinders have their own working mechanism, the steps you need to follow in order to grind up a tree stump, are pretty identical.
However, if you’re new to stump grinding, refer to the instructions that come with your specific model in order to make sure you’re using it correctly.
What you’ll need:
- Stump grinder
- Shovel
- Loam or sawdust
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Ear protectors
Step 1. Don’t forget to put on your protective gear
Before you turn on the stump grinder, make sure you’ve put on your gloves, goggles and ear protectors.
Step 2. Grind the stump
Position the stump grinder over the stump and turn it on. The machine will grind the stump all the way down to its roots. Make sure to move the grinder around to remove all of the aerial roots, too.
Step 3. Fill up the hole
Shovel the leftover wood chips into the hole left behind. Then, simply add sawdust or loam into the hole.
Remove a tree stump with a chainsaw
Chainsaws can cut a wide variety of plants, and tree stumps are no exception. Mind you, the blades should not touch the soil because they would get dull fast. Accidentally hitting a rock would likely result in the chain breaking. Also, it’s highly recommended you use safety equipment items such as a helmet, gloves and trousers. With that said:
- Remove any soil around the stump with a shovel or a pickaxe. Remove as much as possible, because you will need that extra room so the blades wouldn’t hit the soil;
- Start cutting from the ground level;
- Make an initial cut and insert the blade inside;
- Do not let the blade come out of the other side because it will hit the soil;
- Work your way around the stump until you make a full circle. Then you should be able to just grab it and put it away;
- Put soil back over and on the stump.
With this method, the roots will remain intact, but at least the stump will not be taller than your lawn. You should be able to safely drive your lawnmower above it without the machine getting damaged.
Killing a tree stump with Epsom or Rock Salt
If you’re not in a hurry to remove the tree stump right away, then consider buying either Epsom salt or rock salt. They’re both cheap and natural, but you need to make sure they’re pure and not mixed with other ingredients. Do not use table salt as an alternative as it is harmful to the nutrient balance of the soil.
Note that it could take several months until you see results, regardless of the ingredient you’ve used.
- Drill holes into the stump and its roots – The holes should be around 3 cm (1.18 inches) in width and 20 cm (about 8 inches) in-depth. If you don’t have a drill, use a pickaxe and try to make deep cuts.
- Insert ingredients into holes – Fill the holes with the product of your choice. Afterwards, seal the holes with melted candle wax. The wax will dry off and will keep the salts in their place until they’re doing their job.
- Cover the stump with a non-porous material – A plastic tarp or a rubbish bag would suffice. The point is to cut the much-needed sunlight from the stump, so it wouldn’t regenerate whilst the salts destroy it.
Burning the tree stump
Burning a tree stump isn’t really the most advisable method, as it can lead to a full-blown fire if you’re not careful. It shouldn’t be done without strict supervision. You need to have plenty of room around the stump, so nearby objects wouldn’t catch fire.
Also, the stump needs to be completely dry; otherwise, the fire won’t even start. This method works better for old, preferably dead, stumps. Do make sure you have a fire extinguisher just in case. Also, depending on the size of the stump, the burning may take several hours. Before you get down to burning it, you will need to check if it’s legal to burn a tree stump where you live. You can check this with the local council.
What you’ll need:
- Shovel
- Loam or sawdust
- A lighter or matches
- Dry chopped up twigs, paper or dry leaves
- A bottle of an inflammable liquid (petrol, spirit)
Step 1. Build a wood fire atop the stump
Lay out dry chopped-up twigs and branches on top of the stump, with some paper or dry leaves at the base. Make sure the stump is properly covered by the severed branches and that it’s located at the centre.
Step 2. Start the fire
Douse the pile of branches and paper with the inflammable liquid of your choice. Then, use the lighter or matches to light the fire. You better use a dry twig or rolled-up piece of newspaper that you can throw in from a distance to be on the safe side. Keep burning the stump until it’s even with the ground.
Step 3. Shovel the ash out
Once the stump has burnt up, shovel all of the ash out of the hole.
Step 4. Fill in the hole
Fill the hole with either loam or sawdust.
There is also another way to do this by drilling holes into the stump and adding kerosene. A slightly safer alternative to kerosene is charcoal. Place it on top of the stump and light it on fire. It will slowly burn down through the stump. Here is how:
- Drill holes – As with the previous tip, drill numerous holes each around 3 cm (1.18 inches) in width and 20 cm (about 8 inches) in depth. If you have a longer drill bit, use it. The deeper you go, the better.
- Pour kerosene in holes – Be generous with the quantity. The stump needs to be fully saturated in kerosene; otherwise, the fire might stop before it reaches the roots.
- Start the fire – Put scrap wood on top of the stump and light it up. Carefully monitor as the fire burns down the stump and add more scrap wood when necessary. Do not leave the fire unattended even for a little while.
- Dig out the ashes – When the burning has been successful, you should have only ashes left. Dig them out along with the stump roots and replace them with fresh soil.
Using chemical stump remover
Although this stump removal method is safe, effective and doesn’t require manual work, it is rather time-consuming. As a matter of fact, it can take up to several weeks for the stump to be removed.
What you’ll need:
- 12 in. bit extension
- Felling axe
- Corded drill
- Safety glasses
- Stump remover chemicals
- Water
Step 1. Drill holes into the stump
Put on your safety goggles. Use a drill with a one-inch spade bit and 12-inches bit extension to drill holes atop the stump. Make sure these holes are evenly spaced and around 12 inches deep.
Drill some additional holes on the side of the stump, at a 45-degree angle, making sure that they connect with the holes drilled atop the stump. This will ensure that the chemicals filled in from the top won’t dribble out on your lawn.
Step 2. Pour the stump remover chemical
Pour about 100 grams of a granulated chemical tree stump remover into each of the holes you drilled on top of the stump. Then simply fill the hole with water and leave the chemicals to soak up all of the moisture.
Step 3. Wait for a few weeks
It will take around four to six weeks for the effects of the chemical to work. After around a month of waiting, the stump should have become soft and spongy, making it easy to break apart with the help of a sharpened felling axe.
There are a few important things to remember when choosing this method, such as:
- There are different products for different tree types, so make sure you have the right one.
- The best time to apply any stump killer is between autumn and winter. The sap rises during spring and early summer, that’s why those seasons are not recommended.
- Buy a small container. These kinds of chemicals have a short lifespan and unless you plan to kill multiple stumps, there’s no point in having too many products.
- Apply the product when the forecast doesn’t show rains in the upcoming days.
- Cover the stump in a protective sheet to make sure any rain won’t wash off the chemical.
- Glyphosate and triclopyr will not go to the soil after being applied to the stump and so won’t damage any nearby plant life.
As you can see, removing a tree stump that’s just an eyesore in your garden is not a hard task if you have the right tools. But if you’re not up for the job, you can always ask for professional help to get the task completed effectively and safely.
Professional stump removal
If you’re not really into operating heavy machinery, lighting fires, or working with an axe, you can always get in touch with a company that deals with tree stump removal to do the job for you. This way you won’t have to worry about the outcome and get rid of the stump quickly. And what better company to choose than Fantastic Gardeners!
Update your garden ladscape today! Call and book the professional gardeners!
Enter your postcode to view our rates and availability in your area.
For questions about the services we offer visit our main site or you can always call us at 020 3404 4881
How long does it take to kill a tree stump?
It usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks for a tree stump to be killed using chemicals or other ingredients. The tree type, size and environment are also contributing factors. Pine trees, for example, will decompose faster than hickory, because one is a softwood and the other hard.
The end result or your chemical treatments, be it with home ingredients or commercial ones, should look like this: the stump looking spongey and decomposed. When this transformation is a fact, you can easily chop it into pieces. If it’s still not decomposed enough, add more chemicals and wait another two to three weeks.
What happens if you don’t remove a tree stump?
Besides aesthetics, there are more reasons you should remove the stump after the tree has been killed. These include:
- Pests and fungi – Wood-boring pests such as carpenter ants, termites are naturally attracted to tree stumps. They can go onto your other plants and even potentially your home. Fungi, on the other hand, are dangerous if inhaled by unsuspecting playing children or pets.
- Structural damage – The roots may continue to grow even after the tree has been cut. It is quite possible that eventually, they would reach your underground pipes in search of water and damage them.
- Harder to remove – The longer the stump stays, the deeper the roots go, if they’re not dead themselves. This will make it much harder to remove the stump whenever you decide to do it.
- Gardening choirs – It gets annoying after a while to always have to work around the stump, especially when you’re mowing.
The bottom line
Whatever the case, avoid leaving stumps around. Not only are they an eyesore but they’re also magnets for all types of pests such as termites, wasps, and more. Plus, an unattended stump can cause someone to trip and injure themselves. So do the right thing and make that stump go away before it causes you any troubles down the line!
