Tree Stump Removal

Lamb · Jun 26, 2018

If you're too frugal to pay for someone to remove a tree stump, what's the best way to go about doing it yourself? Right now the wood is still very hard (oak) so I have to let it weather a bit before doing any remedies. I've chipped away at the sides with a hatchet but the center is too hard so I drilled some holes on the top to get the weathering process to work faster.

NewCreation435 · Jun 26, 2018

We would drill holes in it and pour salt in the holes.

Lämmchen said:
If you're too frugal to pay for someone to remove a tree stump, what's the best way to go about doing it yourself? Right now the wood is still very hard (oak) so I have to let it weather a bit before doing any remedies. I've chipped away at the sides with a hatchet but the center is too hard so I drilled some holes on the top to get the weathering process to work faster.

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faramir.pete · Jun 26, 2018

It depends how big the root is and where it is located.

As you mention an oak tree I assume this is not a small root.

You can also use copper sulphate solution to kill the root system before attempting the heavy lifting and cutting work.

If you live in a rural area you might check for a neighbour with a tractor as these are usually equipped with a winch which would be helpful to remove this beast!

Pete from Peterborough UK

tango · Jun 26, 2018

Depending how big the stump and its roots are you may have few options.

I've taken out a couple of stumps and root balls but for trees that were probably a lot smaller than your oak tree. Mine were conifers, maybe 20 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide at the base. I dug down to get at the roots, cut the roots, then the stump came out of the ground. Cutting the roots is tricky - a hatchet often doesn't work becaues they are quite springy. You'll want either a reciprocating saw and suitable blades to get behind each root and cut it (get a few spares, earth and stones aren't gentle on blades) or a hand saw that you can get behind the roots.

Assuming you can cut the roots and lift the stump out (not necessarily a given, depending on the size) you need to get rid of it. If you or a neighbor who burns wood for fuel it could be useful, but then you'll have to cut it up into smaller pieces.

It can be surprisingly hard work to get a stump out of the ground.

davedajobauk · Jun 26, 2018

If you are aware that the fibres are held together by 'Lignin'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignin

http://www.ili-lignin.com/aboutlignin.php

You will drill holes, with an auger bit
and fill them with a 'solvent' Potassium Nitrate
then, repeat the application about a week later
and cover the top with a plastic sheet, securely tied to the stump
to prevent evaporation
then, eventually, you'll be able to tear the stump apart with your 'gloved-hands'

As has been mentioned, it is not a 'quick [instant] solution'
but it needn't "take years"
AND, IT IS CHEAP :thumbsup:
I have cleared a 14 inch diameter 'stump'
with @ 8 inches remaining above ground
in a little over three months

The roots, are an entirely different matter
where, so-long as they are subsurface they, may be left in situ
They are not likely to sprout up again due, to the effects of the solvent

dave

PS
why not use it as a fire pit ~using barbecue fuel knubs
this will provide a small-amount of charcoal / potash
and provide a focal point for a pleasant evening under the stars
(You provide supper ~from indoors)

Lamb · Jun 26, 2018

jsimms435 said:
We would drill holes in it and pour salt in the holes.

Sent from my H710VL using Tapatalk

Did you do it right away or did you wait for the stump to age more? Was it rock salt?

Lamb · Jun 26, 2018

faramir.pete said:
It depends how big the root is and where it is located.

As you mention an oak tree I assume this is not a small root.

You can also use copper sulphate solution to kill the root system before attempting the heavy lifting and cutting work.

If you live in a rural area you might check for a neighbour with a tractor as these are usually equipped with a winch which would be helpful to remove this beast!

Pete from Peterborough UK

The tree wasn't very old but it grew quickly which surprised me. It was only about 7 feet tall when we moved in 4 years ago and when we cut it down it was 25-30 feet tall!

Do I have to wait for the copper sulphate treatment?

Lamb · Jun 26, 2018

tango said:
Depending how big the stump and its roots are you may have few options.

I've taken out a couple of stumps and root balls but for trees that were probably a lot smaller than your oak tree. Mine were conifers, maybe 20 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide at the base. I dug down to get at the roots, cut the roots, then the stump came out of the ground. Cutting the roots is tricky - a hatchet often doesn't work becaues they are quite springy. You'll want either a reciprocating saw and suitable blades to get behind each root and cut it (get a few spares, earth and stones aren't gentle on blades) or a hand saw that you can get behind the roots.

Assuming you can cut the roots and lift the stump out (not necessarily a given, depending on the size) you need to get rid of it. If you or a neighbor who burns wood for fuel it could be useful, but then you'll have to cut it up into smaller pieces.

It can be surprisingly hard work to get a stump out of the ground.

That's a lot of work but it's brilliant to dig around and cut the roots to pull the stump out! Maybe when I'm built up more since I'm still pretty weak in the arms.

Lamb · Jun 26, 2018

davedajobauk said:
If you are aware that the fibres are held together by 'Lignin'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignin

http://www.ili-lignin.com/aboutlignin.php

You will drill holes, with an auger bit
and fill them with a 'solvent' Potassium Nitrate
then, repeat the application about a week later
and cover the top with a plastic sheet, securely tied to the stump
to prevent evaporation
then, eventually, you'll be able to tear the stump apart with your 'gloved-hands'

As has been mentioned, it is not a 'quick [instant] solution'
but it needn't "take years"
AND, IT IS CHEAP :thumbsup:
I have cleared a 14 inch diameter 'stump'
with @ 8 inches remaining above ground
in a little over three months

The roots, are an entirely different matter
where, so-long as they are subsurface they, may be left in situ
They are not likely to sprout up again due, to the effects of the solvent

dave

PS
why not use it as a fire pit ~using barbecue fuel knubs
this will provide a small-amount of charcoal / potash
and provide a focal point for a pleasant evening under the stars
(You provide supper ~from indoors)

Ah, the plastic sheeting over it is something I haven't heard of. What happens by covering it like that?

tango · Jun 26, 2018

Lämmchen said:
That's a lot of work but it's brilliant to dig around and cut the roots to pull the stump out! Maybe when I'm built up more since I'm still pretty weak in the arms.

Want a good way to build up your arms? Get yourself a garden trowel and start digging around the roots

davedajobauk · Jun 26, 2018

Lämmchen said:
Ah, the plastic sheeting over it is something I haven't heard of. What happens by covering it like that?

It does not evaporate [away] as-easily
Is not diluted by rainfall
[endures longer] ~ie: soaks in more thoroughly :thumbsup:

dave

NewCreation435 · Jun 26, 2018

Lämmchen said:
Did you do it right away or did you wait for the stump to age more? Was it rock salt?

use epsom salt and then add some water, also sprinkle it around the base. The article below goes into more detail.

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-kill-tree-stumps/

tango · Jun 26, 2018

You need one of these...

ImaginaryDay2 · Jun 27, 2018

Lamb · Jun 27, 2018

Don't show this to my husband!

tango said:
You need one of these...

faramir.pete · Jun 27, 2018

Lämmchen said:
The tree wasn't very old but it grew quickly which surprised me. It was only about 7 feet tall when we moved in 4 years ago and when we cut it down it was 25-30 feet tall!

Do I have to wait for the copper sulphate treatment?

The copper sulphate can be poured into holes bored into the top of the tree stump immediately. We had a smaller tree removed a few years back and the tree surgeon applied the copper sulphate immediately to kill the root. The stump is still in the ground though because it is adjacent to a public footpath and removal may damage the path.

If your oak was 25 feet tall the trunk was probably 24 inches diameter or so? That is going to take some shifting, have you considered explosives?

Pete from Peterborough UK

JSales · Jun 27, 2018

Heh, my vote goes for explosives and take video plz.

psalms 91 · Jun 27, 2018

nitro works well:Nooo::disgonbegood:

Ruth · Jun 27, 2018

psalms 91 said:
nitro works well:Nooo::disgonbegood:

:bolt:

Lamb · Jun 28, 2018

My husband looked at videos and saw the epsom salt one online and emailed it to me not knowing I had asked here on the site for advice

So maybe that's the one he feels the most comfortable having me do. I like the idea of digging around the roots more too to expose them and chop away at them first before we add the epsom salt!

Thank you for all the advice.

Tree Stump Removal

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