After a successful tree removal job, you are going to be left with a big useless stump in the middle of your yard. Aside from being an eyesore and making yard maintenance challenging, your stump can also be a tripping hazard for anyone who walks around your property. For these reasons, you will need to remove the tree stump and the full length of its roots underneath.
This task of removing tree stumps and roots is usually best delegated to experts, such as Tall Timber Tree Services, who understands the challenge and is capable of applying the necessary techniques to get rid of them safely and successfully. However, if you have the time and the energy to take on such a laborious endeavour, here are tested ways on how to remove tree stump and roots on your own.
How To Remove Tree Stump And Roots By Hand
If you’re looking for a cheap way to remove your stump, you can always do it manually. With just enough force, a few simple tools, and following the correct process, your tree stump and its roots can be removed in less than a day.
Loosen the soil around the stump and dig until the roots are revealed. Keep digging and use an axe to cut through the root system until you reach the taproots. When you get to the taproots, rock and shake your tree stump. If your stump still won’t budge, dislodge any remaining roots using a mattock or a digging bar. Keep rocking and cutting stubborn roots until you can finally pull it out. After removing your whole stump and its roots, fill in the hole with soil.
How To Remove Tree Stump And Roots By Using A Grinder
Manually removing your stump takes a lot of energy and time you might not be ready for. It might make you quit the work halfway through or give up the task altogether. A stump grinder can be a removal machine to help make reaching your goal easier. Although a stump grinder is not one of the removal tools you can commonly find in an average homeowner’s tool shed, you can easily rent it for an affordable cost. Just remember to wear protective gears and a PPE to keep yourself unharmed.
First, remove obstacles around its base to prevent injury and damaging the grinder’s teeth. After that, saw the stump as low as possible. Then, place the grinder wheel a few inches above the stump and fire it up. Next, lower it about 3 inches and move it from side to side. Grind it down until the surface of the stump is at least 4 inches below the surrounding ground. Finally, rake up all the wood chips and fill them into the crater with soil.
How To Remove Tree Stump And Roots By Using Chemicals
If you want to remove the stump without a grinder, you can use stump removal chemicals. Although it might take a longer time, depending on how big your stump is and how deep its roots have grown, this method takes little effort. It is also considered safer and more effective. You just need to be patient since the process can take several weeks if your stump is bigger and the roots have grown deep.
Using a chainsaw, cut your stump as close to the ground as possible. Then, drill evenly spaced holes around the perimeter of the stump. Make the holes about 12 inches deep and three to four inches back away from the edge. Next, drill more holes at the side of the stump and connect them with the first holes. This will prevent the chemicals from dribbling out on the ground. After drilling, you can start pouring three to four ounces of tree stump removal chemicals into each of the holes and fill them with water so the chemicals can soak in. In a few weeks, your stump will turn soft and spongy and you can easily remove the rotten wood and roots with an axe.
PRO TIP: If you are wary about using hazardous chemicals, you can remove a tree stump with Epsom salt.
How To Remove Tree Stump And Roots By Burning
You might ask, “what is the fastest way of removing a tree stump and roots?” If you want a fast and easy way of removing your stump and its roots, you can try burning your stump. However, you will need to check your local ordinances because burning your stump might be against the law. Some neighbours will also frown on this method so best consult them before you start a fire in your yard.
With a shovel, dig down around the stump to expose as much of the stump and its roots as possible. Then, drill holes all over the top of your stump, around the base and into its roots, pushing the drill as deep as it would go. And, add a stump remover powder to make the wood porous. Next, fill the holes with kerosene and let the wood with stump removers absorb it. You can also surround the stump with firewood and charcoal. Finally, you can start burning the stump and its roots. Control it by continually checking and dampening the surrounding soil to prevent an underground fire. Add more fuel firewood and charcoal until the stump is completely burned away. Wait until the flame smoulders and cover the remains with soil to completely extinguish the fire.
For the best results without breaking your back and ensuring safety to yourself and your property, enlist the help of Tall Tree Timber Services. Our certified arborists are well trained in providing residential tree services and can complete the job quickly and effectively. You can rest easy with the knowledge that your stump and its roots will completely be removed with care.