Techniques for Large Tree Stump Removal

Digging

• Digging out a stump is easiest when a large section of trunk remains; it provides leverage for trunk removal and serves as an attachment point if the stump must be pulled out. Begin by removing as much of the soil surrounding the stump as possible. Ideally, you should expose the root system. Once the roots are exposed, use a mattock, a chopping tool similar to a pickaxe, to cut through the roots and loosen the soil around the roots and stump. You may also use a pruning saw to cut the roots, but dirty wood quickly dulls the blade. Increase the diameter of the crater surrounding the stump to expose as many roots as possible. Once the roots are severed, use a sledgehammer to strike the stump, which should break some of the remaining roots and expose others. Once the stump begins to move, look for and sever any remaining roots. Push the stump over and tow it away.

Grinding

• Grinding is a quick method of stump removal. Stump grinders are commonly available at rental centers but do not take on stump grinding as a do-it-yourself project unless you are comfortable using heavy equipment. Stump grinders vary from the size of a riding lawn mower to the size of a small car. A large rotary grinder is on the stump to chip away the wood. Always wear eye and ear protection when operating a stump grinder. Use a shovel to remove rocks surrounding the stump. Position the grinding wheel of the machine directly over the stump and slowly lower it until it is approximately 3 inches into the stump. Slowly sway the wheel back and forth to clear the area. Reposition the wheel as needed and continue until you have cleared all of the wood and have dug a hole in the ground that is a minimum of 4 inches deep. Remove the wood chips and fill the crater with topsoil.

Burning

• Burning is a common form of stump removal but is far from the most efficient due to the low oxygen conditions below the surface of the ground. Stump burning creates charcoal that does not decompose, making complete removal of the stump difficult. If you choose to burn your stump, check with the fire department to ensure compliance with local ordinances. Take precautions before the burn; remove all flammable materials from the area and dig a trench surrounding the stump to prevent the inadvertent spread of fire. Build a stove by removing the top and the bottom of a 5-gallon metal can. Cut a 1-inch draft hole near the bottom of the can and another approximately halfway up one side. Place the stove on the stump and start a fire inside. Use charcoal to keep the fire going. On large stumps, reposition the stove as necessary until the entire surface is burned. Remove charcoal residue and loose wood fragments after each burn. Continue to periodically burn away wood from the stump until it is removed. This is a slow process; two to three weeks may be required to burn the stump. Exercise applicable safety precautions when working with this method: never leave burning coals unattended, have an extinguisher nearby and ensure that no burning embers remain after each burn cycle.

Rotting

• If time is not an issue, you may allow the stump to rot. This is the easiest, least expensive and safest method of stump removal. Cut the stump as close to the ground as possible and drill several vertical holes into it. The holes expose more wood and quicken decay. Keep the area moist but not overly saturated. Because decay fungi require nitrogen to attack the wood, treating the stump with a high-nitrogen fertilizer during the first year promotes decomposition. Cover the stump with mulch or a mulch fabric to reduce exposure to direct sunlight but allow moisture to penetrate. The cover also prohibits the growth of weeds and shoots sprouting from the trunk. Revisit the stump periodically to scar, cut or drill the surface to promote continued decay. Rotting wood is an attractive home to many insects. In general, allow them to facilitate the breakdown of the stump. Some insects, such as carpenter ants and termites, may find their way into your home when the stump is in proximity of your house. Ensure that the area between the stump and the house is kept mown and clear of debris, wood fragments and lawn clippings.